In the exceprt from "To Kill A Mockingbird," by Harper Lee, Ms. Maudie criticizes Boo Radley's father. The reason is that Mr. Radley's sense of right and wrong was so strict and severe that it made him punish Boo in a cruel and excessive manner. As a consequence, Boo has become a recluse who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people.
When attempting to decipher the meaning of a new word, it is often useful to look at what comes before and after that word. The surrounding words can give readers helpful context clues about the meaning and structure of the new word, as well as how it is used.
