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Tolerance, what does it mean? Tolerance means accepting someone or something by whom or what they are. Tolerance is important today because of the many issues going around us. We have to learn to tolerate the issues and accept them as they come. In this novel the author expressed the theme of tolerance throughout some of the characters. Specifically the author used Scout, Mrs. Dubose, and Atticus to establish the theme even further.

Scout is a young little girl who is the unreliable narrator; represents the theme of tolerance very well. She is 6 and half years old who is full of questions. For example, On page 125 she asks Cal, “Why do you talk nigger-talk to the- to your folks when you know it’s not right?” Scout then doesn’t understand Cal, but as Scout grown and starts to understand, she will then know why Cal talks like that to her folks. Scout shows tolerance in a different way as compared to the rest of the characters. She uses innocence to cover tolerance up. After all she is a curious little girl who just wants answers.

Mrs. Dubose, an old, ill woman who comes to be Jem’s hero. She is a rude lady who tries to make Jem and Scout feel bad when ever she gets a chance. For example on page 101 Mrs. Dubose tells Jem and Scout, “Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers!” Scout and Jem just have to tolerate her rude comments. Mrs. Dubose fits the theme of tolerance because Jem and Scout have to learn to not pay any attention to her and just accept her like she is.

Atticus, Scout and Jems father. He is the lawyer defending Tom Robinson the “negro”. Atticus only tries to do his job but the town turns against him when they find out he is defending the “negro”. Atticus fits the theme of tolerance because whatever the town said he didn’t listen. He had to tolerate everything the town said about him and his family. All the time all he did was keep his head up high.

The theme of tolerance was really expressed with these three characters. Scout with her innocence she had to be tolerated. Mrs. Dubose she had to be tolerated by Jem and Scout by the rude comments she would tell them. Atticus the one who had to tolerate the town for judging him for defending Tom Robinson. The theme was understood clearly understood as the book came to an end.