To Kill a Mockingbird #4

Journal #4

Chapters 11-12

Perspective: Atticus

The saddest thing happened to Mrs. Dubose today. In a way, it was good for her. She was out of her misery. I guess that it was good for some, they were out of peril. Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict. She had been battling this since the day that I met her. She would have these horrible fits that would scare Scout and Jem. Jem had a fit and cut up all Mrs. Dubose's flowers. Mrs. Dubose told him that he had to read to her for two hours everyday for a month. Jem was really mad about it and actually asked me if he could get out of it. Jem didn't realize that Mrs. Dubose was going to die. Although she was sick, she was never inaudible. She was a lady that was never afraid to speak her mind and that was something that I actually like about her.

I don't even think that Jem and Scout cared that Mrs. Dubose was sick. Sometimes I really don't understand those kids. They never can actually agree with anybody. They always have to contradict them. What I really don't understand is how they don't care if an old lady is sick. I understand that she wasn't the sweetest lady to them, but they still need to respect their elders and being as rude as they were to her is beyond unexceptable. She deep down is a very sweet lady and I'm glad that before she died, that she got to know my kids better. It was good for them to see what it's like to help people.

I was just informed that I am having an emergency session with the State Legislasive. I am leaving the children with Calpurnia. She is taking them to her church and I am glad. They need to realize that the skin of your color or gender doesn't matter Scout and Jem have been having a problem with me defending as they would say niggers. I think that Tom Robinson is innocent and everyone deserves to have their opinion heard, no matter the color of their skin. Scout and Jem have been getting made fun of by their contemporaries because I am defending Mr. Robinson. Sometimes I think that they wish they were more inconspicuous. I am glad that my children are being exposed to things that they are not used to. They need to realize that every person is equal and thats what I hope they get out of these last few weeks.