Final answer:
In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Boo Radley is demonized by the people of Maycomb because he is reclusive, leading to rumors and misconceptions about his character.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people of Maycomb have demonized Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird" primarily due to fear and the human tendency to be wary of the unknown. The correct answer is c) Boo Radley rarely leaves his house, leading to rumors and misconceptions. Because Boo is reclusive and stays inside his home, residents of Maycomb let their imaginations run wild and inadvertently construct a negative image of him. As he does not interact with the community, myths and exaggerations about his life and behavior circulate, painting him as a sort of malevolent phantom rather than a real person. This process of ostracization and demonization without evidence is a recurring theme in Harper Lee's novel and serves as a critique of societal tendencies to fear what is not understood.