Illustration of a bird perched on a scale of justice

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

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Chapter 10 Summary and Analysis

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This chapter opens with the humorous line, "Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty." This serves as the premise of the chapter, which Atticus later disproves through his actions. In the beginning of the chapter, Scout and Jem are embarrassed by Atticus because he's old, doesn't play football, works in an office, wears glasses, and intends to defend Tom Robinson in court. What's more, he won't teach them how to shoot their new air rifles. He does, however, tell them not to shoot down mockingbirds, because it's a sin. Miss Maudie elaborates: mockingbirds don't do anything but fly around and make music for us to enjoy. She also says that Atticus was a master checker player (a fact that Scout finds even more embarrassing). Irritated, Scout aims her air rifle at Miss Maudie's behind that evening, but Atticus stops her from shooting.

One Saturday, a rabid dog by the name of Tim Johnson comes twitching slowly down the road to the Finch house. Calpurnia rushes the children inside and calls Atticus at the office. He drives up with Heck Tate, the Sheriff, who confirms that Tim Johnson does indeed have rabies. Jem makes the grim observation that the dog is "lookin' for a place to die." Heck Tate can't make the shot, so he hands the rifle to Atticus, who protests at first, because he hasn't shot a gun in thirty years. His children are surprised to learn that he was once called One-Shot Finch because of his deadly aim, and they have a hard time processing it when Atticus shoots Tim Johnson. Miss Maudie explains that Atticus gave up shooting when he realized that it gave him an "unfair advantage" over other living things. Jem later calls Atticus a "gentleman" because of it.

Alliteration

Some examples of this would be Miss Stephanie Crawford's "face framed" in the window or the idea that mad dogs "leaped and lunged at throats."

Motifs

Swimming. In Chapter 4, Jem was described as "treading water" at the Radleys' gate, pausing a brief moment before running in after the tire Scout left on the Radley lot. Lee uses a second swimming-related image in Chapter 10 when Scout says Atticus moved slowly, "like an underwater swimmer." The swimming motif thus becomes linked to the theme of time, which appears in the novel to ebb and flow like water.

Simile

One example of this would be Tim Johnson shivering "like a horse shedding flies."

Symbols

Guns. In this chapter, guns are both symbols of death and (occasional) sources of amusement, as when Scout aims her air rifle at Miss Maudie's behind. These air rifles are toys and downplay the more traditional symbolism associated with guns (that of death and destruction). When Atticus shoots Tim Johnson, that symbolism comes to the forefront, but is tempered by the fact that Atticus has to kill Tim Johnson to keep his family and the rest of Maycomb safe from the dog's rabies. Thus, guns are also methods of protection and symbolize the need for safety.

Mockingbirds. When Atticus tells the children that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird, he establishes it as a symbol of innocence and, ultimately, of vulnerability, because the mockingbird can't defend itself. Miss Maudie explains that the mockingbird is innocent because it doesn't do anything but make music for people to enjoy. Later, we'll see how Tom Robinson and Boo Radley themselves become the symbolic mockingbirds of the book.

Themes

Age. Scout's erroneous assumption that Atticus is feeble because he's fifty further emphasizes the age differences between Scout, Jem, and Atticus. Jem, who is five years older than Scout, has pulled away from her, in terms of interests and maturity level, but when compared to Atticus and other adults in the novel, the two seem more alike, thus proving that age, like time, is relative.

Death. Tim Johnson's death isn't the first in this novel, in which both Mr. Radley and Mrs. Radley have already died without Scout so much as batting an eyelash, but it is the first death that has a real effect on the Finch children, who are shocked by their father's skill with a gun. Tim Johnson, an innocent dog who happened to be infected with rabies, is sometimes considered a mockingbird, like Tom and Boo, but the fact of his disease muddies the symbolism considerably.

Innocence. Mockingbirds are symbols of innocence, which makes this one of the most important themes in the novel. In addition to the symbolic mockingbirds of Tom and Boo, innocence can be found in Scout, Jem, and Dill, who undergo a loss of innocence later in the novel, when they watch Tom's trial. Unsurprisingly, Lee associates innocence with youth and the natural world—two things that are traditionally considered innocent and pure.

Sin. In previous chapters, Lee established sin as a theme in relation to Christianity and the sometimes extreme beliefs of Christians in Maycomb. Here, Atticus reorients the theme of "sin" to a purely moral or personal belief in what's right and wrong, effectively eliminating the extreme religious connotations of the word "sin." This is an important change, because it allows Scout and Jem to develop their sense of morality independent of their religion.

Time. Thus far in the narrative, the pocket watches have hinted at the theme of time, which has by and large had little effect on the novel, except where Scout has dipped into flashback and employed foreshadowing. In this chapter, time becomes an important theme, both in relation to age and to the speed of events, as when it slows to a crawl while Atticus prepares to shoot Tim Johnson. In the beginning of the chapter, Scout makes a point of saying that Atticus is old and feeble, but her perception of time and age changes when Atticus shoots the dog. Suddenly, she realizes that time is relative and that the way she perceives time can be affected by her emotional state.

Expert Q&A

What changes the children's opinion of Atticus in chapter 10? How do Scout and Jem's reactions differ?

In Chapter 10 of "To Kill a Mockingbird," the children's opinion of Atticus changes dramatically when they witness him skillfully shoot a mad dog, revealing his past as an expert marksman known as "One-Shot Finch." Initially, Scout is eager to boast about Atticus's prowess, while Jem, recognizing the humility in his father's choice to keep this skill quiet, decides against sharing this and expresses a desire to emulate Atticus's gentlemanly qualities. This incident shifts their perception from seeing Atticus as merely an older, unadventurous parent to respecting him as a capable and modest man.

Why does Sheriff Tate ask Atticus to shoot Tim Johnson in Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

Sheriff Tate asks Atticus to shoot Tim Johnson in Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird because Atticus is known as the best shot in Maycomb, with a reputation as an expert marksman. Tate feels unsure of his own ability to make the shot accurately and wants to avoid any danger to nearby houses.

What are some themes in chapter 10 of To Kill A Mockingbird?

Some themes in chapter 10 of To Kill A Mockingbird are the unpredictability of danger in Maycomb, fairness, and the immorality of harming the innocent.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 10, why is the mad dog's presence in February, rather than August, significant?

"I thought mad dogs foamed at the mouth, galloped, leaped and lunged at throats, and I thought they did it in August. Had Tim Johnson behaved thus, I would have been less frightened." - Scout

In chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird, the mad dog's appearance in February is significant because it symbolizes racism and intolerance, which are not restricted to certain times or places. The dog's out-of-place occurrence creates an unsettling tone, reflecting how racism is unsettling and always harmful. Atticus, who is revealed as the town's best marksman, kills the dog, symbolizing his role in protecting the town from racism and defending the innocent.

In chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what is the symbolic meaning of the mockingbird?

Mockingbirds symbolically represent innocent, benevolent beings who are vulnerable and defenseless. Since mockingbirds are harmless, pleasant birds, Atticus considers it a sin to kill one. A symbolic mockingbird like Tom Robinson is a generous, friendly man who relies on Atticus to protect him from Maycomb's dangerous racial prejudice. Arthur "Boo" Radley is another symbolic mockingbird who needs Sheriff Tate to protect him from the community's limelight.

What did Scout and Jem learn about Atticus in Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Chapter 10, Scout and Jem learn about Atticus's hidden talent for marksmanship when he shoots a rabid dog, revealing he is more capable than they thought. Scout, being younger, is impressed by his skill but confused by his secrecy. Jem, older and more perceptive, understands Atticus's humility and learns about true courage and gentlemanly behavior, recognizing that Atticus's refusal to boast reflects his moral values.

In chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why does Scout consider Atticus feeble? Does her view change?

Scout considers Atticus feeble because he is nearly fifty, wears glasses, and doesn't engage in activities typical of other fathers, like hunting or playing sports. She perceives these traits as signs of age and lack of manliness. However, her view changes over time, especially after witnessing his marksmanship and his bravery in dealing with Mrs. Dubose. These events reveal to Scout that Atticus possesses strengths she hadn't initially recognized.

What might Heck have been about to say at the end of Chapter 10 in To Kill a Mockingbird, and why would Atticus want to stop him?

Heck Tate was likely about to reveal Atticus's reputation as an exceptional marksman, known as "One-Shot Finch," a skill Atticus prefers to downplay. Atticus values peace and humility over public acclaim for his shooting abilities, which he does not consider a source of pride. By stopping Heck, Atticus also prevents further embarrassment for Jem, who was unaware of this aspect of his father's past. This reflects Atticus's honorable and modest character.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, why are Jem and Scout embarrassed by their father in chapter 10?

In Chapter 10, Jem and Scout are embarrassed by Atticus because he is older and seems "feeble," lacking the physical activity and exciting jobs of other fathers. They view his job as a lawyer as dull compared to more active professions. However, their perception changes when they discover his hidden talent as an expert marksman, which surprises them and begins to shift their understanding of his abilities and character.

What does Miss Maudie mean when she calls Atticus a "devil from hell" in To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 10?

When Miss Maudie calls Atticus a "devil from hell" in Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird, she is teasing him in response to his playful warning about Scout aiming her air rifle at her. This light-hearted exchange highlights their close friendship and shared sense of humor, providing a rare glimpse of Atticus's playful side and Miss Maudie's witty character.

In "To Kill a Mockingbird," what are Scout and Jem's initial feelings towards Atticus in Chapter 10?

In Chapter 10, Scout and Jem initially view Atticus as old and unexciting compared to other fathers, believing he lacks impressive skills or activities like hunting or sports. They consider him boring because he spends time reading and working as a lawyer. However, their perception changes when Atticus expertly shoots a rabid dog, revealing a hidden talent that earns their admiration and pride, highlighting the theme of hidden strengths and abilities.

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