In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, what is the significance of the children's encounter with Mrs Dubose except for 'real courage'?

Since Mrs. Dubose might be considered an "enemy" of the
Finch family, this is a chance to know the enemy and why she/he acts the way they do.
Mrs. Dubose is old and cantankerous, unlike anyone else in Maycomb that the children
know. This is an opportunity to view first hand the ravages of age, and the ravages of
prejudice. Jem lost control when he destroyed the old woman's camillias, just as she
loses control when she shouts the things that are hurtful to the children. Jem must
learn the consequences for losing control by confronting the source of his outburst. He
must "walk around in her skin" to understand what drives her, and learn how to deal with
unpleasant people. The consequence fits the crime, having to spend his free time up
close and personal with his tormentor. Jem had to do something he didn't want to and, in
return, learned from it.

Atticus also had to do something
he didn't want to, use a weapon to kill something. From the hints in the story, I got
the impression Atticus had had to kill someone or something using his deadly aim. He was
touched by this killing and resolved not to have to do such a thing again. When the dog,
Old Tim Johnson, presented signs of rabies, he was a danger not only to Atticus's
children but to the towns' people as well. Despite is distaste for killing, he he forced
himself to do what was right with his children
watching.

Both of these actions took courage. Facing what
is distasteful and dealing with it head on is something many people do not have the
courage to do.