Atticus Proves Himself

Chapter 10 began with Jem and Scout's view of their father. They love him ofcourse, but he isn't like the other kids' dads. Atticus is old and feeble, and his children feel like he is less capable in some ways than other fathers. They don't appreciate his reading and wisdom as much as they think they would appreciate if he was an athlete or hunter. Jem and Scout are embarrassed that he doesn't participate in the church football games, and think that he just doesn't have any real talents.

I was a little confused on the "mad dog" thing, and how the month being February had anything to do with it. I do know that this gave Atticus the opportunity to show his real talent, although he didn't really want to. The "town pet" was a dog they called Tim Johnson, and Jem and Scout noticed him acting funny. They told Calpurnia and she determined he had gone "mad." She warned everyone on the street frantically. Atticus rushed home with the sherrif, and they decided they had to shoot him. The people on the street that are Atticus' age know something about him that his children don't...Atticus used to be called Ol' One-Shot, because he was the best shot in Maycomb. The sheriff isn't a confident shooter, and this is why Atticus has to shoot the dog. He shot him right in the head. Scout and Jem are shocked that their father has this talent, but Jem tells Scout to keep quiet because if Atticus wanted them to know he would have told them. I think this event made Jem and Scout appreciate their father more for what he is. Atticus proved himself without meaning to.
Alot happened in chapter 11 also, but I'm going to end the post here...

Can anyone explain more about what was wrong with the dog? Did he have rabies or what?


<3 PaRis