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Copywork
About This Passage
Atticus tells Jem what real courage looks like after Mrs. Dubose dies. He wants Jem to know it is not a man with a gun — it is choosing to keep going even when you know you cannot win. This is the heart of the chapter and one of the most famous lines in the whole book.
I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see i...
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Tell the story of this chapter to a grown-up. Begin with Mrs. Dubose yelling from her porch, then tell about Jem cutting her flowers, then tell about reading to her every day, and end with what Atticus says about her after she dies.
Discussion Questions
- Atticus says Mrs. Dubose was the bravest person he ever knew. What in the story shows you she was brave, even though she was old and sick in bed?
- Jem cut down all of Mrs. Dubose's flowers because she said mean things about Atticus. How can you tell from the chapter that Atticus did not think hurting the flowers was the right way for Jem to handle his anger?
+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide
Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
Being brave enough to do something hard even when you are scared
Item 2
Beaten or sure to lose before you even start trying
Item 3
To start doing something
+ 7 more vocabulary words in the complete study guide
Critical Thinking
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