Chapter 11

In chapter 11, Jem and Scout learns a lesson. Their neighbor Mrs. Dubose is an old woman who is addicted to morphine. She is disrespectful to Jem and Scout. One day Jem and Scout were passing  by Mrs. Dubose house and she insulted Jem saying that "Atticus was not any better than the “niggers and trash he works for,” Jem got frenzy and took Scout baton he had bought her and destroyed Mrs. Dubose camellia bushes. Mrs. Dubose felt contemptuous, and punished Jem by making him come to his house every day for a month to read to her. Scout, accompany her brother on every session he had. Every session was longer than the other, and after a month the punish was over. Weeks after the punishment was done, Mrs. Dubose died and Jem received a box from Mrs. Dubose's maid with a single white camellia inside. Atticus explains to him that Mrs. Dubose enjoy the reading sessions because it was part of her effort to combat the morphine addiction. 



Chapter 9, 10, 11 Analysis

After chapter 8 we will see the transition from Jem and Scout's interest. Their curiosity towards Boo is curtailed  because now they have to deal with the real world, the real image of Maycomb. Adult problems are been presented to them through Tom Robinson's case were the town's residents image is exposed, their racism and their evilness. The residents of Maycomb not only go against Atticus for his decision on helping Tom Robinson but also on Jem and Scout. The family membersof the Finch such as aunt Alexrandra and Francis also go against Atticus. 

Atticus knows that since the trial is about to occur, his children will also be targeted to all sorts of comments, therefore, he installed moral values on them. For example, justice, restrain and honesty. The are not to fight with anyone no matter what verbal abuse they get. Instead they will have to ignored it because that is courage. The reason why Atticus never told his children that he was skill in shooting was because for Atticus bravery has nothing to do with weapons. The mad dog is a symbol of the evil the town has in their hearts and that soon it will be destroyed, since Atticus is seen as a hero after he looses the trial. When Mrs. Dubose punished Jem, Atticus sees this as a perfect opportunity to show them what real courage is. She represents a balanced between bravery and determination. Her disease gives her courage to survive and be strong to be able to combat her morphine addiction. When Mrs. Dubose gives a box to Jem with a single camellia, this shows that she has a pure soul. Jem rejects the gift because he does not see good in her. The gift was Mrs. Dubose gesture to thank Jem but Jem is not mature enough to understand that evil and good can exist in the same person.