To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 10 Analysis
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the rabid dog, by itself, represents racism. Sheriff Heck reports the rabid dog to Atticus, and to Jem and Scout's surprise Sheriff Heck gives the gun to Atticus. Atticus then kills the dog in one shot. Atticus describes the dog as dangerous as it was alive just like racism in the town. Atticus shooting the dog represents justice prevailing over racism. This scene is parallel to Atticus defending Tom Robinson in the courthouse (“What Does Tim, the Mad Dog, Symbolize in Chapter 10 of "To Kill a Mockingbird”?"). Throughout the case, Scout has flashbacks to when Atticus killed Tim Johnson as it says, "... it was like watching Atticus walk into the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger..."