A recluse of Maycomb, Boo obtains a reticent personality and rarely is found outside his house. One peculiar winter night, Scout is awakened by her father. Mystified by the situation, Scout is distraught when she finds out that Miss Maudie’s, the next door neighbor, house is burning in flames. Scout and Jem’s curiosity takes its toll on them; they wind up in front of the Radley Place to observe the scene. After the dramatic event, Scout returns home with Jem and realizes she is wrapped in a blanket. Unsure of whom to show appreciation to, Atticus tells Scout she needs to thank “Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you” (96). Boo clearly exhibits courage when he shows compassion towards Scout and puts the blanket around her during the cold, winter night. It is not the initial enterprise that one should arbitrate another, but the sincere conversant with …show more content…
In the novel, racism plays a major role in the way that people interact with each other and live their daily lives in the segregated town of Maycomb. Tom Robinson, a black man who lives on the outskirts of town, is accused by Bob Ewell for presumably raping his daughter, Mayella Ewell. Consequently, Tom Robinson finds himself sent to court to reconcile the inexplicable incident he is accused of. Atticus, one of the most literate men found in Maycomb, is obligated to defend Tom Robinson on trial. “I’m simply defending a Negro-his name’s Tom Robinson” (100). As Atticus tries to explain to the people of the town, including his children, why he feels it is his duty to defend the Negro, people respond with pessimistic outlooks on Mr. Finch which does him and his family a huge disservice. I'm Atticus not only protected a black man through his courageous act, he implanted a mindset throughout the town of Maycomb that courage can be achieved if you