The general population of Maycomb County clearly has different views than Atticus concerning the matter of civil rights. Jem and Scout have understandable confusion about why their father is defending Tom Robinson, and his reasoning is that he "wouldn't be able to hold his head high if I didn't (defend this case)" (Lee 100). However, many citizens are ridiculing his defense, including Ms. Dubose, who insults Jem and Scout repeatedly by saying that "Your father is no better than the niggers and trash he works for" (Lee 135). Jem loses his cool, and his punishment is having to read to her each day for a month. When Ms. Dubose passes away, Atticus explains to Jem and Scout that "I wanted you to see something about her- I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand." (Lee 149) He goes on to show Jem and Scout that Ms. Dubose was courageous because "she died beholden to nothing and nobody." (Lee 149) While there is still confusion among Jem and Scout, it is clear to the reader that Atticus stresses understanding in his life, as he understands everybody and their views. He is the most mature character we have been introduced to in this book, and he tries to pass his views on to Jem and Scout. While his actions lead to public disapproval, his maturity is remarkable, as he has not lost his head, while enduring some fierce insults.
Mrs. Dubose and Atticus have different ideas about life and society, but similar ideas about courage. In fact Atticus said she was the bravest person he ever knew. Mrs. Dubose tried to give up her morphine addiction by extending the time between doses. Atticus thinks she is very brave and says courage is when, “You know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway…”(Lee 149). Mrs. Dubose knew she was going to die but she wanted to break her addiction before dying and did that. Atticus has a trial in the future and knows he is going to lose but he has to stay with it and see it through. In this way Atticus and Mrs. Dubose both show courage.
ReplyDeleteAtticus and Mrs. Dubose have different beliefs about ways to treat others, and this leads to their differences in the true meaning of courage. Atticus believes that having courage means that you have the ability to stand up for something you believe in and are not afraid to go out of society to prove this. Mrs. Dubose on the contrary has the courage to break her addiction before death, and help Jem with his reading capabilities. Though Mrs. Dubose and Atticus show courage in different ways, they are both show courage at difficult times in their lives.
ReplyDelete- Irfan