The camellias are in bloom. I love these winter flowers.
The white camellia flower holds a special significance in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose is an ornery old lady who is known for her racism and intolerance. One day, Jem cuts off all the camellias from her garden out of frustration and anger towards her. Upon learning of his son’s behavior, Atticus forces Jem to apologize and sends him to her house everyday to read to her.
From this experience, Jem realized that Mrs. Dubose was battling her own demons — her morphine addiction. She was able to kick the habit with Jem’s company, and when she passed away she gave Jem a box with a white camellia inside.
The camellia represents understanding and patience. After Jem has cut off all of her camellia flowers, Mrs. Dubose reminds him that in order to kill the plant one must “pull it up by the roots” - to me, indicating that it is through compassion that one can achieve the understanding to really make a change.
Three Good Things:
1. Camellias
2. "To Kill a Mockingbird"
3. Augusta National's 10th hole is named 'Camellia'
Ive read the book of course but it was good to be reminded of this lesson in life. I will look differently on the camellias in our garden when the flower...I would be so very pleased if one was this colour but I think they are the usual pink. This one is so delicate it’s stunning.
This really is a beautiful camellia- I haven’t tried them here as they are not really hardy enough but my mum used to nurse one through the winters and loved it. I had forgotten the camellia’s importance in TKAMB so thank you for the timely reminder.
What a pretty flower, we don’t have them here. It is translucent like fine china. Is it fragrant? Thanks for the reference to the book, I re-read it a couple years ago and it is something I should like to re-read every couple years.
January 24th, 2021
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