essay help asap please

[elerrina]

i need help writing an essay about boo radley from to kill a mockingbird. the title of the essay is "boo radley is described as a malevolent phantom to what extent does this appear to be an accurate description of this character" i dont really know what to write or where to star any help would be greatly appriciated

[kags]

Boo Radley is hugely significant to the children as he represents everything that is evil to them in their very small world. In actual fact, he is the one who saves them from the malevolent force that comes into their lives. So it is not an accurate represenation of his character at all from the little we know of him.  The interesting thing is that we are convinced, through the children, that Boo IS malevolent in some way, even though there is no solid evidence. As we know hardly anything about Boo, I would say the essay is more about how people, not just children, can imagine malevolence, and how this influences their attitudes toward the supposedly evil person.

[Clanad]

The problem facing the Finch children when considering Arthur " Boo" Radley, (especially Scout) is one we all experience.  Boo is a recluse, one of the novel�s �mockingbirds,� a good person injured by the evil of mankind.  Apparently damaged by a cruel father, he reaches out to the children with small gifts and finally, gives the gift of life.  However, the author, Harper Lee, juxtaposes Radley with Tom Robinson.  They are both equally as damaged, equally as less, if you will.  Boo, because of his rearing and Robinson because of his skin color (and his deformity).  They are both "mockingbirds", one is killed and the other kills, but both are good men ostracized by society for no good reason.  Society (considering the time and place) does see Boo as somewhat malevolent... they just don't know why for sure, but in the end, he and Tom are both exonerated...

I'm more than happy to lend some insight, I just hope you've taken the time to read this classic... it's a must, in my opinion...

[kags]

what is also worth noting is that the real malevolent force, Bob Ewell, is ignored whilst the jury is busy convicting Tom, despite evidence that he could not have commited the crime. There is a much broader significance in this.  

[lissyl78]

On a more general note, the tip with essay writing is to stick exactly what the question asks you. What I would do is make a list of examples of when he is described or depicted as a malevolent phantom - make sure you quote the book - and ways in which he isn't. That way, you'll know the extent to which he is or isn't described that way. Then when you start your essay - always the hardest part - you can begin by saying what your essay will be about, like either 'When looking at the extent to which Boo... is represented as ..., I believe that the novel completely does/doesn't' or 'The extent to which Boo Radley is described as ... is a highly contentious issue due to the fact that there is textual evidence to support the notion that he is as well as for the opposite.' Then you can go on to present the relevant examples and explain as you go what they signify.

As for the specifics of the essay question, nothing to add to the brilliant answers above! Good luck! x

[elerrina]

thanks for all your help much apprieciated