To Kill a Mockingbird

Over the rest of the summer, Dill and Jem grow in their friendship. As a result, they leave Scout out of their games, and she begins to feel isolated. Scout responds by becoming more closely acquainted with their neighbor, Miss Maudie Atkinson. Miss Maudie is a widow with a beautiful garden, an acid tongue, and a talent for baking cakes. She is also a childhood friend of Atticus’ brother, Jack.

Miss Maudie enlightens Scout on Boo Radley, denouncing the neighborhood gossip and rumors about him. She tells Scout that Boo was always polite and friendly when he was a boy. She also explains that Boo’s (now deceased) father, Mr. Radley, was “a foot-washing Baptist” (49) who believed everything pleasureful was a sin, including her own garden.

Jem and Dill continue to develop plots to lure Boo from his house. They involve Scout in a scheme to deliver a message to Boo through the window. Atticus catches them and orders them to stop bothering the Radleys, saying the proper way to communicate is “by the front door instead of a side window” (55). Atticus also tells them they are not to make fun of anyone in the neighborhood.