Arthur "Boo" Radley is a shy, misunderstood citizen of Maycomb, who is discriminated against because of his unconventional, reclusive lifestyle. There are numerous myths and legends surrounding his life story which fascinate Jem, Scout, and Dill throughout the novel. Early in the novel, Scout repeats several rumors that she heard about Boo Radley by saying,
"People said he went out at night when the moon was down, and peep in windows. When people's azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them" (Lee 10).
Scout also mentions that her brother, Jem, received most of his information from Miss Stephanie Crawford, the neighborhood scold. Miss Crawford said,
"Boo was sitting in the livingroom cutting some items from The Maycomb Tribune to paste in his scrapbook. His father entered the room. As Mr. Radley passed by, Boo drove the scissors into his parent's leg, pulled them out, wiped them on his pants, and resumed his activities" (Lee 13).
In Chapter 3, when the children are walking home with Walter Cunningham to eat lunch, Jem asks Walter if he ever heard of Boo. Walter says,
"Reckon I have...Almost died last year I come to school and et them pecans---folks say he pizened 'em and put 'em over on the school side of the fence" (Lee 31).
These false rumors give Boo Radley a bad reputation throughout his community, and many of the children fear him.
In Chapter 5, Scout finally hears the truth about Boo's personality when she has a discussion with Miss Maudie. Miss Maudie tells Scout,
"I remember Arthur Radley when he was a boy. He always spoke nicely to me, no matter what folks said he did. Spoke as nicely as he knew how" (Lee 61).
Maudie even elaborates on Boo's radically religious father and explains why Boo never leaves his home. At the end of the novel, Boo saves Jem and Scout's lives and Scout finally gets her chance to meet Boo. After she walks Boo home, she stands on his porch and says,
"Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives" (Lee 373).
Scout's comment depicts her maturation and understanding of Arthur Radley. She no longer sees Boo as the "malevolent phantom," and instead views him as her friendly neighbor.
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