Jem and Scout have a perception of Boo Radley that changes over the course of the novel, and their relationship with him develops slowly. At first, Boo is something to fear. The legend of his brutal attack on his parents has instilled in Jem and Scout an anxiety about his person and his home that they cannot resist, even when Boo leaves them gifts in the knothole of the tree. They feel terror when they think of an encounter with Boo, even though they cannot base this fear on any experience or rational thought. By the end of the novel, Scout and Jem understand Boo to be a gentle and quiet individual, who simply prefers a private life. That Boo saves their lives the night they walk home from the school pageant reveals Boo's courage and care for the children. Scout realizes that Boo is more gentle and friendly than she first thought, revealing her awareness that they now have a closer relationship, one actually based on reality rather than imagination.
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