In Harper Lee's classic story To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem refers to Arthur "Boo" Radley as a "haint," which is a southern term for "haunt" that is synonymous with a spooky/creepy person. In chapter 3, Jem comments to Walter Cunningham Jr. that a "hain't lives there" as he points towards Boo Radley's residence on their walk home. Jem is essentially telling Walter Cunningham Jr. that a creepy, scary being resides in the Radley home. In addition to calling Boo Radley a "haint," the children also believe in "Hot Steams," ghosts, and incantations that protect them from wandering, restless spirits. Their superstitious beliefs are rooted in Southern culture and emphasize their childhood innocence. The children also view Boo Radley as a "malevolent phantom" and subscribe to the unflattering rumors and legends surrounding him. Jem even describes Boo as a tall, ferocious creature, who dines on squirrels and has bloodstained hands.

As the novel progresses, the children gain significant perspective into their community and develop into mature, sympathetic adolescents. Towards the end of the story, Jem and Scout walk to the Halloween festival at the local school and pass Boo Radley's home on the way. As they walk past the Radley home, Jem teases Scout by saying, "Ain’t you scared of haints" (258). Scout laughs at Jem's comment and mentions, "Haints, Hot Steams, incantations, secret signs, had vanished with our years as mist with sunrise" (Lee, 258). Jem and Scout's attitude towards their childhood superstitions depicts their growth and maturation. By the end of the story, Jem and Scout no longer consider Boo Radley a "haint" but view him as a compassionate, shy neighbor, who saved their lives during Bob Ewell's vicious attack.