The Concept of Loneliness in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lees Arthur Radley - Essay Example

Harper Lee’s Arthur (Boo) Radley in To Kill AMocking Bird and Albert Camus’ Meursualt in The Outsider are similarly detached from the abrasive outside world. This treatment of loneliness is only distinguished by the manner in which these characters are detached. For instance, Camus’ Meursualt is disconnected from the world on an emotional level whereas Lee’s Boo is physically disconnected. The consequences for both characters are essentially the same in that they are both tragically misunderstood and although regarded as outcasts are no different from anyone else. Both Lee and Camus demonstrate major societal conflict through their themes of loneliness as manifested in Boo and Meursault. Boo Radley is a recluse, a shy man who lives not far from the Finches but never ventures outdoors. A lot of mystery surrounds the actual facts of Boo Radley’s detachment from society and he becomes the subject of malicious rumors. One rumor has Boo Radley coming out in the dark of night and peering into neighbor’s windows. The rumors however are mere indications of society’s fear of the unknown and the low tolerance for those who do not meld or blend in with society. They become the objects of scorn and demonization. Meursault, like Boo is very much an outsider although he does physically blend in with society. Outwardly, Meurasult is an ordinary member of the community. He has an apartment, a job and a girlfriend. His detachment is founded on his mental and emotional distance. In one exchange with his girlfriend Marie, the reader understands the limits of Meursault’s ability to connect with another human being. “A minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn’t mean anything but that I didn’t think so.”1 Meursault is indifferent to his mother’s death and this indifference becomes problematic for him later on when he goes on trial for murder. Although the trial has a legitimate issue to try, Meursault is as much on trial for his non conformist attitude as he is for murder. It is Meursault’s departure from accepted norms that sets him apart as a loner and an outsider and this is why he like Boo is ultimately demonized by society. While the reader knows very little about Boo in the beginning chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird outside of rumors and myth, the reader is immediately introduced to Meursault’s indifference. The Outsider opens with the following observation by Meursault, the novel’s narrator: “Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: ‘Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.’ That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.” 2 There is no mistaken Meursault’s lack of emotions in the knowledge that his mother has passed away. Moreover, his conduct following the news is even more indicative of his lack of conscience. Meursault is more occupied with obtaining time off from work rather than focusing on the reality of his mother’s death. He carried on as if nothing had changed for him. Following the news of his mother’s death Meursualt tells the reader: “I caught the two o’clock bus. It was very hot. I ate at the restaurant, at Celeste’s, as usual.”3 It is this apathy that isolates Meursault from society and makes him an outsider and a loner. Boo Radley is not characterized by apathy. As the novel unfolds there is evidence that he has a conscience and is prone to attachments and emotions. At different intervals the lonely Boo Radley develops a fondness and attachment to Jem and Scout despite their morbid fear of him. Boo often leaves gifts for the children in the knot hole of an oak tree at the foot of the Radley home. Scout has no idea the gifts are from Boo although Jem has some suspicions that they might be. Be that as it may, the children’s fear of Boo borne out of misjudgment attributed to his reclusive nature is clearly described by Scout in the passage that follows: "Then I saw the shadow. It was the shadow of a man with a hat on. At first I thought it was a tree, but there was no wind blowing, and tree trunks never walked. The back porch was bathed in moonlight, And the shadow, crisp and toast, moved across the porch towards Jem. Dill saw it next. He put his hands to his face. When it crossed Jem, Jem saw it. He put his arms over his head and went ridged."4 The children what responding to a perception that the shadow belonged to Boo Radley and perceptions that Boo Radley was some sort of demon. Both the fear and the demonization are ironically tied to Boo’s lonely existence. As a result of both Boo and Meursault’s detachment from the outside world they become as much observers as they are the observed. While Meursault’s observations only foster his detachment, Boo’s serve to foster his attachment to the children who are watching him. Boo’s attachment is demonstrated via the gifts he leaves for the children and later on when he takes positive steps to kill for the children to save their lives. By contrast, Meursault’s detachment and lack of emotions drive him to kill. There is a similarity in the observations of Boo and Meursault which illustrates the author’s treatment of loneliness. In both instances neither character sits in judgment of those that they observe. This is in sharp contrast to the passionate judgments passed by those who observe them. The only difference between Meursault and Boo is that while Meursault is emotionless in his lonely observations, Boo is able to find some form of emotional attachment for the children that he observes. While both Boo and Meursault are not judging those that judge them, they come to realizations about mankind in general. Meursault, while imprisoned for murder comes to the realization that man in general is detached from the physical universe and what makes him different is that he realizes that he is alone while others do not. He makes the following observation of his own loneliness: “Sounds of the countryside were drifting in. Smells of the night, earth, and salt air were cooling my temples. The wondrous peace of that sleeping summer flowed through me like a tide. Then, in the dark hour before dawn, sirens blasted. They were announcing departures for a world that now and forever meant nothing to me.”5 Boo Radley, does not make any such observation directly. But by implication, Boo’s decision to live as a recluse is explained by Jem who has witnessed first hand the corrupt nature of man in general. In his young and maturing mind, he understands why Boo would choose to live his life outside of the general population when he tells Scout: "Scout, I think Im beginning to understand something. I think Im beginning to understand why Boo Radleys stayed shut up in the house all this time. Its because he wants to stay inside.”6 Scout finally begins to see the world through the lonely eyes of Boo when she stands on his porch near the end of the novel. This was a porch and a house that she was previously terrified to pass. While standing on the porch near the end of To Kill a Mockingbird she reflects on her father’s words to her: "Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough."7 Both Boo and Meursault break out of their state of loneliness. While Boo’s is physical in that he appears to Scout and in the neighborhood, something he had been known to shy away from throughout the novel. Scout describes their first actual interaction separate and apart from Boo having rescued her from the fire. She observes: "When I pointed to him his palms slipped slightly, leaving greasy sweat steaks on the wall, and he hooked his thumbs in his belt. A strange small spasm shook him, as if he heard fingernails scrape slate, but as I gazed at him in wonder the tension slowly drained from his face. His lips parted into a timid smile, and our neighbors image blurred with my sudden tears.”8 Alone in his cell, Meursault finally feels how very alone he is and longs for some companionship. The thought of having spectators at his funeral warms him because it has the promise of companionship and dispenses with the feeling of not being alone. He finally appreciates the companionship he had been so indifferent to in the past and makes this final lamentation: “As if that blind rage had washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so much like myself—so like a brother, really—I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate.”9 Despite the desire to break away from the loneliness, it is apparent that both Boo and Meursault remain outsiders but in very different ways than they started out. In both cases there is acceptance and awareness, but certainly not conformity. Lee leaves us with the impression that Radley’s bond with the children does not instill a measure of trust in society at large. Likewise, Meursault’s sudden desire for companion ship is not a manifestation of his shift in feelings toward mankind and society. In both cases, the characters have resolved that they are different and are willing to accept that difference. It is that difference that sets the stage throughout both novels for themes of loneliness. Bibliography Camus, Albert. (1982) The Outsider. London: Penguin Books Lee, Harper. (1988) To Kill a Mockingbird. Grand Central Publishing. Read More