Week 4 homework

A few weeks have passed since Mrs Dubose died and Jem has had some time to think about the events of the last few months. In role as Jem, write a response in which you reflect on these events and what they mean

Huff, what to think. It has been all so confusing over the past months. It started off simple, Mrs Dubose insulted my father and I reacted - how bad was that really?! I was only doing what I sought to be right and she had no right to be calling my father names like that. Reflecting on the situation, like Atticus would want me to do, I know that I reacted harshly and I should have been the better man and not let the old woman get to me. But she is a creep, she may have "true courage" as Atticus says, and I agree (but let me get to that) but I still think that she didn't have to be so... cruel. But no, I must be like Atticus for he is the greatest gentleman in the US!
I guess the times I spent reading to Mrs Dubose did, in fact serve a purpose and I now know that she didn't make me read to her just to punish me beyond necessary, but gee it did feel like it at the time. To be honest - reading to her, was like reading to a mole rat that never showered. I didn't like one moment of it. But you know what they say, "you don't know what ya got till it's gone", I do in fact regret feeling that way. But in no way am I sayin' that I would do it for longer, just.... I wish I knew. I wish I knew that she was sufferin' and then that way, I guess, It wouldn't have been so bad. It's not my fault is it? To believe someone is how they appear to be in every encounter that you would ever have with that person??? Am I not right? But Mrs Dubose fought, she fought to not be reliant on the morphine when she died, even though Mrs Dubose knew that she was going to die either way. She still thought.

I think that's what Atticus is gettin' at when he says that Mrs Dubose was a brave woman. I think that he means that a person is not all defined by their beliefs - but by their courage, cause that's the best thing to have in one's self. Real courage is better than any good shot, and I know that now.