To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

jordanajackson
jordanajackson
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Mr. Finch takes aim and kills a mad dog. What/How does Atticus Finch "take aim" in defending Tom Robinson, becoming a hero now?

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

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Posted by jordanajackson on Friday September 4, 2009 at 12:38 PM and tagged with atticus finch, mad dog, to kill a mockinbird, to kill a mockingbird, tom robinson.

Answers:

  1. mwestwood
    mwestwood Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus Finch "takes aim" at "Maycomb's usual disease."  He attempts to shake up the jury enough that they will realize that they cannot find Tom guilty simply because of what Mayella Ewell claims despite her being white and Tom's being black.

    After Atticus shoots the mad dog, Miss Maudie tells the children, "If your father's anything, he's civilized in his heart."  Indeed, this is true in the courtroom of Maycomb.  Civilized, Atticus Finch essays to influence the jury to be the same.  He attempts to get the jury to examine closely the testimony and the evidence in a totally rational and dispassionate manner.  When he does this and displays his integrity in such an attempt at honesty, the blacks in the balcony stand in respect as Atticus Finch leaves the courtroom.  To them, Atticus is a hero because he has fought the Jim Crow laws and the hatred in the hearts of some of the citizens of Maycomb.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/to-kill-a-mockingbird

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    Posted by mwestwood on Friday September 4, 2009 at 11:43 PM

  2. zara-aj
    zara-aj Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    He is a hero as he killed the mad dog, and did it in one shot: "Miss and you'll go straight into the Radley house!". He did it before the dog could get to any townspeople and spread the disease.

    So... how does atticus's taking aim in the mad dog scene parallell that of when he takes aim during the trial?

    When shooting the mad dog, he was the only one skilled enough to do the job. When taking on the trial, he is the only lawyer skilled enough and not blinded by prejudice to defend Tom Robinson.

    He is the only one who dares to do both jobs. Even when put in he front lines of danger, he does them. And does them welll. He is therefore a hero. He puts himself in front of others.

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    Posted by zara-aj on Saturday September 5, 2009 at 12:03 AM