Skip to main content

What are some quotes that depict Mrs. Dubose's forgiving nature in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Chapter 11, Mrs. Dubose is portrayed as an unapologetic racist who verbally insults the Finch family as Jem and Scout walk past her yard. Jem loses his temper after hearing Mrs. Dubose's hateful comments and ruins her camellia bushes on his way home from the store. Atticus punishes Jem by making him read to Mrs. Dubose every day, except on Sundays, for two hours. After Jem's punishment is over, Mrs. Dubose passes away, and...

In Chapter 11, Mrs. Dubose is portrayed as an unapologetic racist who verbally insults the Finch family as Jem and Scout walk past her yard. Jem loses his temper after hearing Mrs. Dubose's hateful comments and ruins her camellia bushes on his way home from the store. Atticus punishes Jem by making him read to Mrs. Dubose every day, except on Sundays, for two hours. After Jem's punishment is over, Mrs. Dubose passes away, and Atticus explains to the children that Mrs. Dubose suffered from a chronic illness. He also tells them that she was addicted to morphine, and her final wish was to break her addiction before she died. Atticus mentions that Mrs. Dubose died free and says,



"She still disapproved heartily of my doings, and said I'd probably spend the rest of my life bailing you out of jail. She had Jessie fix you this box—" (Lee 148).



When Jem opens the box, he finds a white, waxy, perfect camellia inside. Atticus then says,



"I think that was her way of telling you—everything's all right now, Jem, everything's all right. You know, she was a great lady" (Lee 149).



Mrs. Dubose's gift to Jem portrays her forgiving nature. She appreciated the time Jem spend reading to her because it helped her break her addiction. The white camellia represents her feelings of forgiveness towards Jem and serves as a keepsake to remember their time spent together.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...