To their delight, Jem and Scout discover that Atticus was nicknamed One-Shot Finch as a boy. Through Tim Johnson, Jem and Scout gain further insight into their father, just as they will through Tom Robinson's trial. More significant still is that as Tim approaches the neighborhood, even the mockingbirds become still. They appear to be the same, but danger lurks beneath. Mad dogs are supposed to have certain characteristics, as Scout testifies when she says, "Had Tim Johnson behaved thus, I would have been less frightened." Significantly, Scout will learn that the town behaves much like Tim Johnson during Tom's trial. Although the children recognize that the dog's behavior is odd, he doesn't look mad to them. Calpurnia confirms that the dog is very sick, and consequently, very dangerous. Tim is "the pet of Maycomb," but one day the children discover him acting strangely. don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.'" Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are both mockingbirds in this story, but Scout doesn't realize that fully until the end of the novel.īeyond the mockingbird image, Lee continues bird symbolism in the case of the bird dog, Tim Johnson. Scout takes her confusion to Miss Maudie who explains, "'mockingbirds. When Atticus procures air guns for Scout and Jem, he warns them to "'remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'" This statement surprises Scout - Atticus doesn't make a habit of saying that things are sinful. The title of To Kill a Mockingbird is explained in Chapter 10. The children also confront ugliness and hostility, only to find that the reason behind the behavior follows the ethical high ground. Scout and Jem learn some impressive things about their father - things that will ultimately help them understand why Atticus is compelled to defend Tom Robinson. The last two chapters of Part 1 complete the background for the trial that is coming in Part 2. Dubose was very sick and fighting an extremely valiant battle against addiction. Only then does Atticus tell the children that Mrs. Shortly after Jem is relieved from duty, Mrs. Dubose, letting her decide his punishment. Of course, Atticus hears what happened and he makes Jem apologize to Mrs. Dubose, a mean, elderly woman confined to a wheelchair, makes a particularly stinging remark, Jem retaliates by destroying some of her flowers. Their view of their father changes when they see him shoot a mad dog.Īs Tom Robinson's trial grows closer, Jem and Scout endure more slurs against their father. Jem and Scout lament the fact that "Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty." The children believe that Atticus' "advanced" age keeps him from doing the sorts of things other children's fathers do.
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