What is the lesson in Chapter 11 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
William Taylor
Updated on March 31, 2026
What is the lesson in Chapter 11 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
This chapter indicates the similarities between Mrs. Dubose’s struggles to overcome her addiction to morphine, and Atticus’s fight to reduce the level of racism in Maycomb. Mrs. Dubose and Atticus both know they are going to lose their fights but they face them anyway.
What prediction does Mrs Dubose make that scares Scout?
She often insulted Scout for unlady like behavior, and she insulted Atticus, Scout and Jem’s father, for defending and supporting African Americans. It was not until Atticus forced Scout and Jem to read to Mrs. Dubose every day that the children learned Mrs.
When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident?
He couldn’t have cared less, so long as he could pass and punt. When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that.
Who is Lafayette Dubose?
Henry Lafayette Dubose. An elderly, ill-tempered, racist woman who lives near the Finches. Although Jem believes that Mrs. Dubose is a thoroughly bad woman, Atticus admires her for the courage with which she battles her morphine addiction.
What did Mrs. Dubose teach Jem?
Henry Lafayette Dubose teaches the children a lesson in courage. As Jem reads aloud to her every day for a month—a punishment for destroying her camellia bushes after she harshly criticizes Atticus—she weans herself from her morphine addiction by refusing her medicine for longer and longer each day.
What does Atticus reveal to Jem after Mrs. Dubose passes away?
morphine
Mrs. Dubose dies a little more than a month after Jem’s punishment ends. Atticus reveals to Jem that she was addicted to morphine and that the reading was part of her successful effort to combat this addiction.
Did Jem break his leg?
Jem Broke his leg trying to escape from Bob Ewell. Jem takes Scout to the Halloween pageant by himself. The black citizens of Maycomb show their appreciation to Atticus by giving him a standing ovation.
How is Mrs Dubose the most courageous woman Atticus has ever met explain this situation?
Here Atticus is explaining to Jem that courage comes in many forms. Mrs Dubose was determined to die without needing to rely on morphine. She achieved this but her success is tinged with sadness because she died before she could properly enjoy being morphine free. Atticus believes this makes her even more courageous.