Even though the …show more content…
Raymond, Atticus isn’t afraid to teach his children about the disease Maycomb has. In chapter 9, Atticus explains to his brother why his life is the way it is. Although he’s talking to his brother at the moment, he’s speaking to Scout almost anonymously as he doesn’t acknowledge her until after he’s done explaining his intentions. He states, “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease. Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand... I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town” (Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Grand Central, 1982). An example of this disease, is Mrs. Dubose; every time Scout and Jem pass by her house, she throws racial slurs about Tom and Atticus. Things start to get out of hand when Mrs. Dubose crosses the line once again by insulting their father. She says, Not only a Finch waiting on tables, but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers”. Jem finally breaks and destroying her camellia bushes, temporarily catching the disease of bitterness and