The Radley Game (SDH's class)

Why do the children play the “Radley Game”? The children play the "Radley Game" because they are interested in braving the dangers of the Radleys’ place. The strange thing was, not all of them were interested in this game to begin with. It was really Dill who was interested in a particular Radley because of his monstrous reputation of eating squirrels and bein’ a scoundrel. Being known as a monster, there is no surprise Dill is so interested in him. Who is that you ask? Boo Radley. (“Boo drove the scissors into his parent’s leg, pulled them out, wiped them on his pants, and resumed his activities” (Page 11)) (“he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch,” (Page 13)). Dill wants to find a way to make Boo Radley come out, but at the same time, not get eaten, because the kids want to befriend Boo Radley. Another reason the kids might want to play the game is because they want to find out if Boo Radley is still alive, and what he would do if he came out. Jem of course, is pressured to join in the game, along with Scout, because Dill thinks that anyone who doesn’t want Boo Radley to come out is a coward. To be honest, I’m sure if Jem and Scout didn’t know anything about the Radley’s place, or were not pressured to play the game, they wouldn’t. In other words, the kids want to know what Boo’s life was really like, and if he was the reason any person or thing in or around the Radleys’ area was doomed (example from the book: “Radley Pecans would kill you. A baseball hit into the Radley yard was a lost ball and no questions asked” (Page 9)). How can they do this without trying it out for themselves? Some things have to be tried to be proven. After all, kids are curious, but ignorant creatures. Sometimes they don’t know how dangerous something truly is, or whether it’s real or not, until it’s too late. Kids will be kids, and sometimes they want to or have to learn things the hard way. Overall, the kids want to see Boo’s reaction to their disturbance. ~ Attalie K.