To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

kidjorge
kidjorge
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In To Kill a Mockingbird, how does Atticus advise Jem to react to Mrs. Dubose's taunts?

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Posted by kidjorge on Sunday May 17, 2009 at 1:54 PM and tagged with jem, mrs. dubose, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Atticus knew that Mrs. Dubose was giving Jem and Scout grief each time they walked by her house. He also knew that Mrs. Dubose was old and sick, and he felt sympathy for her. Scout recalled that Atticus would come home many times to find Jem "furious" as a result of Mrs. Dubose's cruel comments to him. He gave Jem this advice:

    She's an old lady and she's ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it's your job not to let her make you mad.

    Although Jem tried his best to follow his father's instructions, the day came when his self-control finally broke, and he destroyed Mrs. Dubose's prize camellia bushes.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/chapter-11-summary-anal...
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/characters

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    Posted by mshurn on Sunday May 17, 2009 at 2:36 PM