To Kill a Mockingbird ​SIFT Analysis # 1

Part One Directions: ​Pay close attention to the imagery and figurative language and other literary
devices Jem uses to describe Arthur (Boo) Radley to Scout and Dill. Use the SIFT organizer to record
your analysis of the passage.

“Jem gave a reasonable description of Boo: Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his
tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that's why his hands were bloodstained- if
you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across
his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time”
(Lee 13).

Symbol: Imagery:

✘ Arthur “Boo” Radley becomes  ○ Six-and-a-half feet tall 

symbolic of:  ○ Bloodstained hands 
○ Fun, creativity (the  ○ Long jagged scar 
create games around  ○ Dines on squirrels and 
him)  cats 
○ A mysterious figure  ○ Drools 
○ A monster/demon  ○ Yellow and rotten teeth 
○ Their fear of the  ○ Eyes popped
unknown (xenophobia)
○
Figurative Language: Tone:

✘ Hyperbole  ✘ Jem’s attitude towards Arthur 

○ The passage as a whole  “Boo” Radley is: 
is a great exaggeration  ○ Over the top 
on Arthur “Boo” Radley  (exaggerates) 
○ “If you ate an animal  ○ fearful/frightened 
raw, you could never  ○ Curious 
wash the blood off.”  ○ Excited 
■ Blood could easily  ○ Irrational 
be washed away  ○ mysterious 
✘ Personification 
○ “There was long jagged 
scar that ran across his 
face” 
■ The scar is given 
 the ability to run. 
Scars are 
associated with 
injuries, fights, it 
could imply he is 
dangerous. 

Conclusions/Findings:
✘ He is a recluse (or reclusive); he is very private, keeps to himself, he 
doesn’t socialize with others, an extreme introvert 
✘ He becomes the source of town gossip because he is so private and 
unknown by many 
✘ Boo is characterized as: 
○ Scary and oppressive (although likely inaccurate) 
○ Animalistic and nonhuman  
○ A monster 
○  
Part Two Directions:​ Use the analysis recorded in your SIFT organizer to complete a 2-chunk body
paragraph discussing how Lee uses literary devices to characterize Boo. You may wish to consider any of
the following devices: simile, metaphor, symbolism and/or imagery. Be sure to support your assertions
with specific examples from the text and be sure to explain HOW the devices reveal Boo’s characteristics.

2-Chunk Body Paragraph Structure

(You may type your paragraph directly into this chart if you find it to be helpful. Otherwise, feel free
to delete the chart, or provide your response below it)

Topic In chapter one of “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee the character Boo is
Sentence characterized through tone and imagery.

Lead into a While Jem is describing Boo he says that “that's why his hands were
Concrete bloodstained- if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood
Detail off.”(Lee 13).

Commentary This creates an exaggerated and fearful tone because it misleads one into
thinking something more spooky.

Commentary This tone shows the mysterious characteristics Boo Radly because this is how
the townsfolk talk about him.
Lead into a Later Jem says that “There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face;
Concrete
Detail what teeth he had were yellow and rotten”(Lee 13).

Commentary This is visual imagery because it is giving vivid detail on Boo Radley
disgusting characteristics.

Commentary This matters because it gives the neighbors and newcomers the wrong
impression of Boo just becauses of the way he may or may not look.

Concluding In conclusion Jems description of Boo Radleys Characteristics used tone and
Sentence imagery to falsely describe him has a person.