In chapter ten, Jem and Scout spot a dog that is crazy. Calpurnia says that the dog is "a mad dog" and warns the whole neighborhood. Atticus and the town sheriff come to the scene and decide that the only way to bring it down, is to shoot it, but they will only have one chance. Mr. Tate, the town sheriff, says to Atticus, "I can't shoot a gun that well and you know it!" (Lee 127) Then after taking the gun, Atticus brings the gun up to his shoulder and shoots the dog within an instant. Atticus clearly once was, and still is even after thirty years and expert marksman. Earlier in the chapter, Jem and Scout had went around telling neighbors of how useless Atticus was. They said he was old, and could no longer do anything. Atticus, being his moral self, had never told the kids he was an expert at anything let alone shooting. He didn't tell them, because it is not something he is proud of. He wants to be seen as a great person, and by saying he has a skill for killing things isn't helping that image. Also, he doesn't want them to want to be an expert marksman either. If they see Atticus shooting things, then they will want to shoot too. Atticus knows that they will regret this decision when they get older, just as he does. Later Scout asks Miss Maudie about Atticus. "... he decided he wouldn't shoot till he had to, and he had to today." This shows how much Atticus regrets his skill. He will still help the community if in need, but will not shoot for any other reason. Being an expert marksman is not something Atticus is proud of, and therefore doesn't tell Jem and Scout.
Why do you think Atticus doesn't tell the kids? Was there possibly an event in the past that occurred to prevent Atticus from wanting to shoot again? If so, what do you think that was?
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ReplyDeleteThis event continues to show a part of Atticus that's been shown throughout the book. He is often very laid back and humble, never showing off or trying to make a disturbance/scene. An event most likely occurred that changed the way he though about death or killing and maybe that's why he rarely speaks, because he is scared or even unsure about himself. Also if someone were to infer what Atticus is like just by the kids, the answer would probably be crazy and loud, but he is timid. He possibly could have been like Jem, Dill, and Scout as a boy, but an episode with a gun or some confrontation could have changed him. Now when he thinks or his skill or when he tries being boastful he may remember a bad time in his life.
ReplyDeleteAtticus didn't tell his children about his talent for marksmanship because at some point in his life, Atticus realized that guns aren't what make you courageous and brave. Later on in the chapter Atticus spoke to Scout and Jem about what real courage and bravery is. He told them about Ms. Dobuse's previous addiction to morphine and how she decided to die un addicted. Atticus wants his children to realize that courage and bravery comes from within and being an expert marksman doesn't shape who you are.
ReplyDeleteAtticus does not regret being a good shot but he regrets shooting the animals and killing them. Miss Maudie says how he realized what he was doing and stopped shooting the animals, and that he won't shoot in less there is a reason. I think this is important because you learn that Atticus was not perfect either when he was young. Shooting all those animals when he was young helped shape his personalty now.
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