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Importance Of Mrs Dubose In To Kill A Mockingbird

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What is the importance of the character of Mrs Dubose in ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’? In To Kill A Mockingbird, Mrs Dubose is shown to have the same narrow mindset as the majority of the town. This can be seen when Mrs Dubose is on her porch and ranting to Jem and Scout about how from the towns perspective, Atticus is seen negatively. “‘Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for’” The superior tone used shows how Mrs Dubose thinks that Atticus truly is not worth anything, because of how he treats black people differently. Mrs Dubose displays the towns narrow mindset through her racist and misogynistic ideology, she is seen to have an acid tongue and uses this to criticise everyone who does not think the same way as her. Another example of Mrs Dubose’s narrow ideals is when she criticises Scout for her lack of femininity, “what are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady!” The rhetorical question shows how Mrs Dubose believes that Scout wearing overalls is unlawful and one of the most horrifying things in the town, this shows that her mindset is flawed and cannot be trusted as she prioritises femininity over crime or racism. Mrs Dubose is seen to fit in with the rest of the town folk, and is used to display their ideals and thoughts. The neighbours perception of Atticus’ parental care is presented through the character of Mrs Dubose. For example, when Scout and Jem pass her house on the way to town, she immediately

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