The story is narrated by Scout Finch and is set in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. It introduces the mysterious neighbor Boo Radley who the children obsess over, trying to get him to come out of his house. Their curiosity grows after befriending Dill, a visitor from another town. Dill dares Jem to touch the Radley house, heightening the children's intrigue with Boo Radley and kicking off the profound story of self-discovery that follows.