In To Kill a Mockingbird, the mysterious Boo Radley leaves gifts for Scout and Jem in the tree near his house. As the novel progresses, the two siblings discover a wide range of gifts, including two pieces of gum, a purple velvet box containing Indian-head pennies, some twine, an entire pack of chewing gum, a medal, and a pocket-watch.
While it's difficult to determine any personal significance behind these items in regard to Boo Radley himself, it certainly seems as though each item is a prized possession of the childlike Boo, who selflessly aims to pass on his mementos to the children.
From a literary standpoint, each item serves a metaphorical and plot-supporting purpose as well. The first stick of gum serves as a method to show the children's distrustful curiosity in regards to the gifts. Jem suggests the gum is likely to be poisoned, but Scout hesitantly takes and chews the gum. The Indian-head pennies hint at Boo's age, for pennies pressed with that head stopped being pressed in 1909.
The pack of chewing gum shows how the children have come to trust these gifts, for they have no hesitation in chewing each stick. Lastly, the medal and pocket-watch show the significance and value of the gifts offered by Boo. While the first gifts seem to be generally worthless, Boo finally gives the children something sentimental (his spelling medal) and something literally valuable (an expensive pocket watch).
https://www.jmbullion.com/coin-info/cents/indian-head-pennies/
Sunday, April 28, 2019
What are the next two gifts that the children find in the tree? Explain what you think may be the possible significance of each.
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