Why does Atticus consider Why does Atticus consider it a sin to kill a mockingbird but okay to kill a mad dog?

Atticus considers it a sin to kill a mockingbird but okay to kill a mad dog because of the relationship between Boo Radley and the neighborhood. When Scout and Jem, first get their shotguns Atticus says,  I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (103) After, Ms. Muadie explains to Scout that a mockingbird is a peaceful, bloodless bird, she is drawing a parallel to Boo Radley’s character. Harper Lee uses Boo Radley to display a bloody monster to everyone in the town, but what Atticus says, it is almost as if he is talking about Boo Radley, a peaceful, bloodless human. As for the dog, when Jem and Scout go looking for rabbits they encounter Mr. Harry Johnson’s abnormal dog,  Tim Johnson. As soon as the kids realize that this dog is mad sick they go running to Calpurnia in terror. In Maycomb Alabama it is uncommon for a mad dog to be found in February. After the news spreads, Atticus comes immediately home with Mr. Tate, and shoots the dog in one shot. Atticus thinks it’s okay because unlike the mockingbird, who’s trying his hardest to help people by singing, a mad dog can harm another human in the neighborhood. The mad dog refers to what could be perceived as hurting someone in the neighborhood which parallels to how Boo Radley is perceived in the neighborhood. The perception of the mad man who has the potential to harm people yet in reality we learn through Boo Radley’s actions specifically when he takes the time to put the blanket on Scout, that while he might appear “mad” in reality he is very thoughtful. Is it a sin to kill a mockingbird?  Yes because the mockingbird/ Boo is not hurting anybody. A mad dog though, represents the two sided relationship between all of the neighbors and Boo. It is not his fault he has the capability to truly hurting someone in the neighborhood. Through these two chapters, Scout and Jem grow as they are taught the lesson in that people have very cut and dry views of taking another animals life by their dad, and that they survived through the incident of a mad dog.
How do you think Mr. Harry Johnson will react to his dog? Will he and Atticus be upset with each other

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2019 at 6:20 PM

    I’m conflicted about how Mr. Harry Johnson will feel when he sees his dog. On one hand he could be mad because Atticus just shot his dog, but on the other hand, he may have a similar reaction to Ms.Maudie and her house. I think it depends on how close Mr. Johnson was with his dog because maybe his dog really meant something to him and he would hate to see him die in this way. But if the dog was really sick, maybe he would’ve been better off being dead. Also, If Mr. Johnson is an understanding person wouldn't he understand that the mad sick dog was harming the neighborhood. Once we are able to discover more of Mr. Johnson’s character traits, it will be easier to determine how the man feels about his deceased dog.
    Why was the dog sick in February? Does this symbolize something? Does this relate to Mr.Avery’s comment about the kids fighting and the winter?

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2019 at 7:09 PM

    In this chapter, Atticus explains to the children how it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. In this idea, Harper Lee is explaining a common theme in this novel that in this case that, with the mockingbird representing pure goodness, kill one would be heartless and only for self gain. The bullet would represent anger, selfishness, greed, and many other attributes. A similar moral can be drawn from the dog. In it’s own way, the dog can be seen in the same way as Boo. It shows how something good can be twisted and changed, much like the once kind dog became a threat to the people of Maycomb. Atticus is forced to shoot the dog, along with resurfacing a talent he purposely has hidden. This marks Scout’s growth as she will know see her father in a very slightly different way. Through these chapters, Scout learns that people have more to offer than what is set in front of you, and that you can not assume you know everything about a person.

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2019 at 5:23 AM

    I’m unsure on how I think Mr. Harry Johnson will react to his dog being shot and killed. Because we have not met Mr. Johnson yet, I’m not sure what kind of person he is yet, therefore I can not tell how he would react. Although I’m not sure how he would react, I would assume he would be angry that his dog was killed without his consent, but I do think he will understand the reasoning for his dog being shot. I think that Harper Lee included this scene in the novel because it shows how Atticus does have courage even though he doesn’t play football. It also shows how it takes more courage to face your fears than to play a game of football. What is Mr. Johnson's relationship with Atticus? How did Atticus realize he was a good shot.

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    1. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2019 at 6:29 AM

      Mr. Harry Johnson has not been introduced in the novel yet, so I have no idea how he will react. Like most people, I assume he will be upset and frustrated at first, but with the reasoning of being a 'mad dog,' he might understand Atticus' decision. I do not know the relationship between the Finch and Johnson family. If they have had past troubles, Mr. Johnson could escalate this issue and create a whole new problem in Maycomb. Personally, Harper Lee included this scene in her book to add-on to the madness that is happening in Maycomb currently, with Ms. Maudie's barn gone, Mrs. Dubos' death, and Boo Radley's mystery.

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2019 at 8:20 AM

    In this chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus explains how it is a sin to kill a mockingbird and it is okay to kill a mad dog. It is difficult to assume how Mr. Harry Johnson will react if we have not met him in the story although I think if he is a sensible man he will understand what had to be done and go on with his life. Atticus did the rightful thing in putting down the dog because the dog was a threat to the surrounding neighbors. I think Mr. Harry Johnson and Atticus will not be upset with each other because the dog was suffering and needed to be put down. I'm sure Mr. Harry Johnson might be a little sad because he would want to do it himself but it is not the end of the world. When we understand more about Mr. Harry Johnson as a person it will be easier for us to understand how he will react to this situation.

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