Previous
Tom Robinson
Mrs. Dubose is a widow who lives two doors down from the Finches. She’s ancient and unspeakably mean, shouting abuse from her porch at everyone, even children. Some, like Cecil, walk further every day to avoid her. She remains a force to be avoided until she insults Atticus for defending Tom Robinson in front of Jem, which spurs Jem to hack the buds off of her camellias. Following this, Mrs. Dubose and Atticus force Jem to read to her every afternoon for five weeks. Scout finds Mrs. Dubose’s appearance and home repulsive—she drools, her house smells oppressive, and she seems to barely listen to Jem while continuing to insult Jem and Atticus. Following her death, Atticus explains that Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict who, while undeniably mean and racist, did a courageous thing by breaking herself of her addiction before her death.
Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose Quotes in To Kill a Mockingbird
The To Kill a Mockingbird quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose or refer to Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 11
Quotes
It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
“The one that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 31
Quotes
A boy trudged down the sidewalk dragging a fishing-pole behind him. A man stood waiting with his hands on his hips. Summertime, and his children played in the front yard with their friend, enacting a strange little drama of their own invention.
It was fall, and his children fought on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Dubose's [...] Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the day's woes and triumphs on their faces. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, apprehensive.
Winter, and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house. Winter, and a man walked into the street, dropped his glasses, and shot a dog.
Summer, and he watched his children's heart break. Autumn again, and Boo's children needed him.
Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire To Kill a Mockingbird LitChart as a printable PDF.
Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose Quotes in To Kill a Mockingbird
The To Kill a Mockingbird quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose or refer to Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 11
Quotes
It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
“The one that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 31
Quotes
A boy trudged down the sidewalk dragging a fishing-pole behind him. A man stood waiting with his hands on his hips. Summertime, and his children played in the front yard with their friend, enacting a strange little drama of their own invention.
It was fall, and his children fought on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Dubose's [...] Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the day's woes and triumphs on their faces. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, apprehensive.
Winter, and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house. Winter, and a man walked into the street, dropped his glasses, and shot a dog.
Summer, and he watched his children's heart break. Autumn again, and Boo's children needed him.
Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
