Why is Atticus so insistent on Jem and Scout acting politely towards Mrs. Dubose?

The lesson that Atticus teaches Scout during the incident with Walter Cunningham carries over to the event with Mrs. Dubose.  Atticus tells Scout to learn to walk around in someone else’s skin to begin to fully understand what someone is going through.  The lesson is the same for understanding Mrs. Dubose.  Although she yelled at Scout and Jem about Atticus defending Tom Robinson, Atticus wants his children to respect all people.  Mrs. Dubose has an...

The lesson that Atticus teaches Scout during the incident with Walter Cunningham carries over to the event with Mrs. Dubose.  Atticus tells Scout to learn to walk around in someone else’s skin to begin to fully understand what someone is going through.  The lesson is the same for understanding Mrs. Dubose.  Although she yelled at Scout and Jem about Atticus defending Tom Robinson, Atticus wants his children to respect all people.  Mrs. Dubose has an addiction to morphine, and vows to break her addiction before she dies.  Atticus understands this and wants Jem to show compassion.  Mrs. Dubose is a symbol of the racist South that is in the throes of change.  Her addiction is like Maycomb’s “addiction” to racism. 

Atticus also teaches this lesson of respect and compassion to Jem when Dill and Jem keep pestering Boo Radley.  Atticus is a man who understands and accepts all types of people.   To him, the most important lessons are on respect.