Sunday, December 21, 2014

Examine Atticus’s speech about the Radleys’s right to privacy. What do his views make you think of him? Do you agree with him?

Atticus Finch is an honorable man who believes in the inalienable rights of the individual. Boo Radley is no exception to his beliefs, and Atticus wants his children to recognize the Radley family's rights.
After having constructed "Chapter XXV of Book II of One Man's Family," the children engage in Dill's plan to send a note to Boo. They do not notice Atticus as comes up the street. "What are you all playing?" he inquires; Jem replies, "Nothing." But Atticus has noticed the scissors that Jem holds and asks him if he is cutting the newspaper. Jem replies with only monosyllables. Atticus tells him that the scissors better not have anything to do with the Radleys.
Some days later, Jem and Dill plan on leaving a message for Boo. It is attached to a fishing pole, and Jem hopes to drop it off at a window. But, it will not stay on the window's ledge no matter how many attempts Jem makes. Then, he hears Dill ringing the warning bell for Jem. But it is too late because Atticus approaches Dill and orders him to stop ringing the bell. Taking the note from Jem, Atticus asks him why he, Scout, and Dill want Arthur to come outside. Dill says, "We thought he might enjoy us...," but Atticus interrupts as he looks at Jem, "I'm going to tell you something and tell you one time: stop tormenting that man. That goes for the other two of you." He explains that Mr. Radley has the right to do what he wants. He also has the right "to avoid the attention of inquisitive children," Atticus adds. To demonstrate his point, Atticus asks his children how they would like it if he just walked into their bedrooms without knocking. For they are doing much the same thing to Arthur Radley.
Atticus teaches his children that respect for their privacy must be extended to everyone. Atticus explains that what Mr. Arthur Radley does may seem odd, but it is reasonable to him. Besides, he adds, the civil way to communicate with another person is to knock on the front door. After telling the children to be respectful of the Radleys's privacy, Atticus instructs the children to stay away from the Radley house unless they are invited there.This advice of Atticus's demonstrates his respectful nature and his sense of justice.

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