Model Answer for Radley Place Extract
When the reader is first introduced to the Radleys, and the mystery that surrounds Boo Radley, it is through their
house. The impression that is created is one of deliberate isolation from the rest of Maycomb society to the point
where the Radley’s are ‘alien to Maycomb’s ways’. This conveys the sense that they are completely at odds with
Maycomb life as they are ‘alien’ in a town where they should fit in.
Through the description of the house the reader is intrigued by the Radley’s as well as feeling that the Radleys do not
welcome visitors. The house is unwelcome in its appearance. The use of the past tense to describe the fact the house
‘was once white’ highlights that the house has deteriorated, creating intrigue as to why, and it also creates an
unwelcoming impression as the house isn’t maintained. This negative first impression is furthered through the use of
alliteration to describe the ‘rain-rotted shingles’. The use of the word ‘rotted’ suggests extreme decay and a lack of
care, possibly also symbolising a similar decay within the characters of the family. The alliteration of the ‘r’ sound is
also harsh and abrupt, again warding off any visitors. If the reader is not already discouraged about the Radleys, the
personification of a ‘picket drunkenly guard[ing]’ the house emphasises the fact that the Radleys value their privacy,
even if their maintained is lacking the intention of the fence is clear.
Even though the Radley house is involved in society – the road runs past it and ‘the school grounds adjoined the back
of the Radley’s lot’, they are not part of society. Their ‘place jutted’ into a ‘sharp curve’. The verb choice of ‘jutted’
suggests a harsh and aggressive placing of the house, so visually it is not in harmony with Maycomb county and the
use of the adjective ‘sharp’ reinforces the idea of discomfort and a lack of harmony with the society.
Model Answer for Radley Place Extract
When the reader is first introduced to the Radleys, and the mystery that surrounds Boo Radley, it is through their
house. The impression that is created is one of deliberate isolation from the rest of Maycomb society to the point
where the Radley’s are ‘alien to Maycomb’s ways’. This conveys the sense that they are completely at odds with
Maycomb life as they are ‘alien’ in a town where they should fit in.
Through the description of the house the reader is intrigued by the Radley’s as well as feeling that the Radleys do not
welcome visitors. The house is unwelcome in its appearance. The use of the past tense to describe the fact the house
‘was once white’ highlights that the house has deteriorated, creating intrigue as to why, and it also creates an
unwelcoming impression as the house isn’t maintained. This negative first impression is furthered through the use of
alliteration to describe the ‘rain-rotted shingles’. The use of the word ‘rotted’ suggests extreme decay and a lack of
care, possibly also symbolising a similar decay within the characters of the family. The alliteration of the ‘r’ sound is
also harsh and abrupt, again warding or any visitors. If the reader is not already discouraged about the Radleys, the
personification of a ‘picket drunkenly guard[ing]’ the house emphasises the fact that the Radleys value their privacy,
even if their maintained is lacking the intention of the fence is clear.
Even though the Radley house is involved in society – the road runs past it and ‘the school grounds adjoined the back
of the Radley’s lot’, they are not part of society. Their ‘place jutted’ into a ‘sharp curve’. The verb choice of ‘jutted’
suggests a harsh and aggressive placing of the house, so visually it is not in harmony with Maycomb county and the
use of the adjective ‘sharp’ reinforces the idea of discomfort and a lack of harmony with the society.