Do Now! Why is Mrs. DuBose in the story? There are several reasons (we’ve talked about 2) Any questions…things you need clarified?
Courage Shot-Gun Courage Moral Courage
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 11
Recall: Mrs. DuBose Who is she? What does she represent? Why are Jem and Scout interacting with her?
Mrs. Dubose represents traditional southern values These attacks toward Atticus are important because they are the first “coming from an adult”…the others have been from immature children Indicates that the conflict against Atticus’ decision to defend Tom Robinson is growing and expanding in the town
Reinforces Lessons from Atticus Always polite Walk around in another’s shoes to see how it feels Hold your tongue, even in extreme provocation
New lesson “the one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a man’s conscience.” What does this mean?
The children read to Mrs. DuBose What’s it like? What happens while they are there?
What’s up with Mrs. DuBose?
Morphine addict Dying – Going through withdrawal – Refuses to take medicine Wants to die free of addiction Jem’s reading is a distraction from the pain
Why was Atticus going to make Jem read to her either way
Lesson of courage Jem equates courage with: Atticus wants him to see that courage is:
Mrs. Dubose and Sympathy
Directions Read the excerpt Underline in one color all descriptions that are UNPLEASANT (physical, mental, personality) In the other color, underline any sentences that make you sympathetic or feel sorry for Mrs. DuBose
Quotation How does it make her unpleasant? How does it make her sympathetic?
Directions (Advanced) Ask each group to decide if Harper Lee creates more sympathy or dislike for Mrs Dubose and take feedback for discussion – each group should be able to state the agreed opinion and provide evidence. – How does Harper Lee suggest that Mrs Dubose is unpleasant in this excerpt? – How does Harper Lee create sympathy for Mrs Dubose in this excerpt?
Group reflection Why would Harper Lee make this woman both unsympathetic and sympathetic at the same time? NOTE: please remember what she is supposed to represent. 3-4 sentences on the bottom