How is the character of Mrs. Dubose in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird a paradox?

Mrs. Dubose is a paradoxical character throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird because she displays both positive and negative personality traits. A paradox can be defined as a situation, statement, or person that displays contradicting elements or qualities. Harper Lee juxtaposes Mrs. Dubose's personality by portraying both her unbridled racism and hatred, as well as her integrity and courage. Mrs. Dubose hurls derogatory comments and racial slurs at Jem and Scout. She is indignant...

Mrs. Dubose is a paradoxical character throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird because she displays both positive and negative personality traits. A paradox can be defined as a situation, statement, or person that displays contradicting elements or qualities. Harper Lee juxtaposes Mrs. Dubose's personality by portraying both her unbridled racism and hatred, as well as her integrity and courage. Mrs. Dubose hurls derogatory comments and racial slurs at Jem and Scout. She is indignant and controversial when Jem reads to her, which makes the audience view her character with contempt. After she dies, Atticus explains her courageous battle against a terminal illness and morphine addiction. Mrs. Dubose shows her compassion towards Jem by giving him a white camellia as a token of her forgiveness. Lee displays Mrs. Dubose's integrity and courage which contrasts with her rude, ignorant personality. Harper Lee uses Mrs. Dubose's paradoxical qualities to illuminate the duality of human nature. Throughout Chapter 11, Scout and Jem experience that humans can have conflicting character traits and cannot be generalized as exclusively good or bad.