The camellias in the story To Kill A Mockingbird are a symbol of understanding. In the beginning of chapter eleven, Jem doesn’t understand Mrs. Dubose’s behavior. This is shown when Scout describes the scene of Jem losing his temper. She says “He didn’t begin to calm down until he had cut the tops off every camellia bush Mrs. Dubose owned, until the ground was littered with green buds and leaves.” Jem couldn’t comprehend why she would say negative things about Atticus. Later after her death, though, he finally sees the reasoning behind her actions. When Jem receives the camellia from Mrs. Dubose, he thinks that she is trying to make him feel guilty about what he's done. The camellias also hold bravery, that Mrs. Dubose wants to pass on to