Mrs. Dubose threw some of her typical accusations at Jem and Scout when they walked by on a Saturday morning. She falsely accused Jem of breaking down Miss Maudie's scuppernong arbor that morning. She criticized Scout for wearing overalls and warned that Scout would end up as a waitress at the O.K. Cafe. All of this was annoying, but what Jem got angry about was Mrs. Dubose insulting Atticus. She accused Atticus of being no better than the blacks and the "trash" he was defending.
The children went into town and bought their toys, which included Scout's baton. When they got to Mrs. Dubose's house, Scout thought Jem had gone crazy because of the way he took the tops off of all the camellias with the baton. Jem later told Atticus it was because of the way Mrs. Dubose insulted him:
Jem said softly, “She said you lawed for niggers and trash.”
In chapter 11, Jem and Scout are walking to the store to spend Jem's birthday money when they pass their racist, ornery neighbor, Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose makes several derogatory remarks towards Jem and Scout before ridiculing Atticus. Mrs. Dubose tells the children,
Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for! (Lee, 105)
Scout mentions that Jem turns scarlet after Mrs. Dubose verbally attacks Atticus. Scout also mentions that Jem scowls the entire time he is in the store and remains visibly upset. On their walk back home, Jem can no longer contain his rage and takes Scout's new baton from her. He then proceeds to destroy Mrs. Dubose's entire camellia bush and breaks Scout's baton over his knee. The reason Jem is not able to control his temper is because Mrs. Dubose directly insulted his father. Jem is protective of Atticus and loves his father dearly. He could not stand listening to someone insult Atticus, which is why he retaliates by destroying Mrs. Dubose's camellia bush.
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