Percy Shelley Mrs. Dubose Response

Atticus describes Mrs.Dubose as a “great lady” because of her nobility. Although in appearance Mrs.Dubose seems disrespectful the reader then discovers that in reality she is a caring and courageous old lady. Mrs. Dubose nobility was seen when Atticus says,

“Son I told you that if you hadn’t lost your head I’d have made you go read to her. I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked even before you begin but you begin anyways and you see through no matter what. You rarely win, but Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she dies beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew.”

In the quotation, Atticus shows that her admirable approach to her addiction is proof of her nobility. In the quotation, Atticus uses the words “licked” and “begin.” These words show how Mrs. Dubose had to start a new stage of her life although she was close to death. The words “no matter what” and “rarely win” show that Mrs.Dubose was fighting a nearly lost war. However, as Atticus explains in the quotation she is exceedingly “brave” and able to fight her addiction. In these examples Atticus proofs that Mrs. Dubose was perseverant and never gave up. In the quotation, Atticus also uses the word “beholden.” Showing that Mrs. Dubose had died without owing anything to anyone and with a clear conscious. Mrs. Dubose "real courage", strong morals, and willingness makes even a person like Atticus admire her.