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To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 10 Analysis

Decent Essays

In Chapter 10 of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, conflicts involving the mad dog and the actions of the inhabitants of Maycomb portray the gothic theme that it takes courage to realize the truth of racism and prejudice. From the time Calpurnia saw Tim Johnson, the pet of Maycomb, he was deemed a mad dog. Once warned, everyone except Atticus, Calpurnia, and the sheriff hid in their homes, unwilling to address the problem, but only worrying about their personal safety. Tim might not have been a mad dog but through irrational, but traditional views, the villagers immediately demonize the creature as a threat. Also, the dog’s name, Tim Johnson, is similar to the Atticus’ African American client’s name, Tom Robinson. The similarity between the names relation to the racial prejudice of the town. The residents are unwilling to accept that their perspective towards others are not always the person’s true self, but what others perceive of them. Without giving them a chance, people will always …show more content…

He symbolizes the hope for change to African Americans when he is the one person to acknowledge the problem. Even after the mad dog was dealt with, Atticus refused to let others discuss his accomplishments. Atticus only shoots when necessary because his talent would give him a sense of superiority over those who are not as gifted. At the beginning, Scout feels that Atticus is “feeble… nearly fifty… and did not do the things” her schoolmates’ fathers did (89) because he was always reading or in his office. Even when the children receive air rifles, Atticus is not the one to teach them how to shoot. On the surface, Scout views Atticus as an ordinary father, but “people in their right minds never take pride in their talents” (98). Similarly, the white residents of Maycomb feel superior over the colored through racist thoughts and

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