Jem took Scout's baton and chopped the tops of all Mrs. Dubose's camellia bushes. Then he snapped Scout's baton in half.
Jem responded to Mrs. Dubose by destroying her prized camellia bushes in anger. He was upset by her racist remarks about Atticus defending black people and felt compelled to take action.
Jem cut up all the flowers in her yard, and as punishment, Jem had to read to Mrs. Dubose
jem went and crushed mrs. dubose plants
he destroyed her plants with a baton
Jem teared up Mrs. Dubose's flowers
Jem stepps on Mrs.Dubose's flowers
Jem beats Mrs. Dubose's camellias in anger after she provokes him and insults Atticus, calling him awful names. He is frustrated by her mean remarks and stands up for his father by destroying her flowers. Jem's action signifies his struggle with his emotions and his loyalty to his family.
Jem destroys Mrs. Dubose's camellia bushes in a fit of anger and frustration after she makes derogatory remarks about his father, Atticus. This act exhibits Jem's growing understanding of prejudice and injustice in their society and his struggle to cope with these harsh realities. It also symbolizes his breaking away from childhood innocence and stepping into a more mature understanding of the world around him.
Atticus understands that Mrs. Dubose is facing her own struggles and is dealing with illness and addiction. He sees her insults as a result of her pain and tries to show empathy and compassion towards her instead of taking offense. Atticus chooses to respond with patience and kindness rather than with anger or hurt feelings.
He was not happy with Mrs. Dubose's comments on his father, Atticus. Mrs. Dubose had said that Atticus is no better than black people and the trash he works for. Trash meaning defending Tom Robinson, a black man. Jem became angered and forgets his promise to Atticus and later tore out the majority of the camellias and their leaves in the front yard.
Atticus wants Jem to meet Mrs. Dubose to teach him empathy and understanding. By seeing Mrs. Dubose's struggle and resilience in fighting her morphine addiction, Atticus hopes Jem will learn valuable life lessons about courage, compassion, and the complexities of human nature.
At first, it seems that Jem reads to Mrs. Dubose because Atticus is punishing him by telling him to go to Mrs. Dubose and apologize for what he has done. Mrs. Dubose tells him in order to make up the mess he created, he has to read to her for two hours a day for a month. Jem had pulled out many camellias and leaves on Mrs. Dubose's property because he was anguished by her comments on his father. Mrs. Dubose was the first adult to say that Atticus is no better than black people and the trash (being a lawyer) works for. After Mrs.Dubose dies, we learn that Atticus would have even asked him to de so if he didn't wreck her property. It turns out that she was a morphine addict and to get of the drug Jem would read to her so her mind and body would be of the drug so she can break her habit before she dies. Hope this helps :)
Atticus advises Jem to try to understand Mrs. Dubose's perspective because she is dealing with her own struggles. He encourages Jem to not let her words affect him and always to maintain his composure. Atticus emphasizes the importance of showing empathy and respect, even in difficult situations.
Atticus believes in teaching his children empathy and compassion, even towards those who may not treat them kindly. By encouraging Jem to read to Mrs. Dubose, Atticus is teaching his children the value of understanding others' perspectives and practicing kindness and respect, even in difficult situations. It also helps Jem learn to control his temper and respond with patience and understanding.
Atticus reveals to Jem and Scout that Mrs. Dubose had been addicted to morphine and was struggling to overcome her addiction before she died. He likely waited to tell them in order to teach them a lesson about understanding and empathy, as well as the complexities of human nature. Atticus wanted them to see that people can have both faults and virtues, and that it is important to try to understand and forgive others despite their flaws.
Jem destroyed Mrs. Dubose's flower garden out of frustration and anger towards her constantly insulting and provoking him. Mrs. Dubose's comments about Atticus and his defending Tom Robinson triggered Jem's emotions, leading him to act impulsively and destructively.
Jem is maturing and Atticus told him not to get upset about people making fun of himself so when Jem gets upset and ruins the plants Atticus makes him read to her because he knows it is a 'mature' thing for him to do, it teaches Jem to own up to what he did, Walk in someone else's shoes (underlying theme), and Atticus knows she's addicted to morphine and she might die, and also that she is alone and has no one to read to her.
The children hate and fear Mrs. Dubose in "To Kill a Mockingbird" because she is verbally abusive towards them and their father, Atticus Finch. She represents the intolerance and racism that is prevalent in their society, making her a figure of both fear and contempt for the children. Additionally, her views and behavior clash with the values of compassion and understanding that Atticus teaches his children.