Preview

What Does The Dog Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
319 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What Does The Dog Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird
In To Kill A Mockingbird, there is a mad dog called Tim Johnson that has rabies. This dog represents many things. It is a symbol of all the things Atticus will have to do, but would rather not and that the disease of the town has to die but will not be erased immediately. It represents the things that Atticus doesn’t want to fight but has to. When he sees the dog he tells Heck to kill the dog. “ Don’t waste time, Heck,” said Atticus “Go on.” “ Mr.Finch, this is a one-shot job.” Atticus shook his head vehemently” this quote shows that Atticus didn’t want to shoot the dog, but then “ the rifle cracked” Atticus shot the dog. This event is the first of many events were Atticus does something he didn’t want to do. Another event in which Atticus

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, there are many symbols. Lee puts many examples in her story that alludes to a major theme about political and social injustice. She attacks the 20th century issues and attempts shine a brighter light on it. There are plenty of quotes in the novel that have a symbolic meaning. The symbols in this book has a greater meaning behind it than ever before.…

    • 71 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Mad Dog: Tim Johnson was a dog infected with rabies that needed to be put down. The dog is a symbol of racism in the novel. Racism is getting out of control (just like the dog), and it needs to be put to a stop. Atticus shoots the dog to put him down but racism is a harder challenge to try and defeat. Atticus has to do things he doesn’t want to, like killing a dog and facing the court room.…

    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mockingbird's are not only symbols of innocence; they are also symbols of happiness and to kill them is evil. This concept, the senseless persecution of an innocent individual, is central to Harper Lee's novel. Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are both mockingbird figures, innocent yet condemned through the prejudices of society.…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lee foreshadows the climax of the event through Heck Tate’s comment, ‘He’s far from dead, Jem, hasn’t got started yet.’ The fact that the mad dog is very much alive and his death is not anticipated yet creates a feeling of trepidation. The phrase ‘what remained of his poor mind made him pause’ elicits some sympathy for Tim Johnson as he has been involuntarily overrun by disease, but also illustrates to the reader that the dog is harmful as he is not acting out of choice and the rabies are getting the better of him.…

    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    By understanding the use of memory, symbol, and pattern it is easy to compare literary works and further understand the meaning behind a piece of literature. Each of these can deepen the understanding of the work, making it more enjoyable and more significant. Comprehending patterns and symbols allows you to experience the true meaning of the story. Also recognizing these three things allow you to get pass the nonessential parts of the piece and reveal what the author truly means. Realizing patterns while reading, gives the reader insight into the literature, making it simpler and easier to comprehend. One of the main pieces of literature that was enhanced by understanding symbols was To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper…

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When there was a mad dog in town someone had to solve the problem by shooting it. Everyone knew Atticus could shoot the best in the town except Jem and Scout. When the children found out that their dad had the best shot in Maycomb, they were amazed, yet shocked. Jem is so impressed and surprised that he said to Scout, “’d you see him, Scout? ’d you see him just standin’ there?...’n’ all of a sudden that gun was a part of him…” (129). Atticus believes that it is best for him to keep this part of him to himself in order to maintain the way Jem and Scout viewed him. Atticus did not want his kids to see him as reckless and crazy, but rather as wise and gentle. Atticus Finch clearly forms a public identity because of everything he tried to do for Tom Robinson in the trial. Atticus wants to show people that it is important to value equality and justice in the world. Many people in town do not quite understand why Atticus is defending Tom but he explains to Scout, “if I didn’t I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (100). Atticus believes that if he does not do this that people will not respect him as much as they did and he will not be able to respect himself. No matter what, Atticus will always do his best to set a good example for his…

    • 962 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Personification-"Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when i first knew it" (pg5)…

    • 887 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Frederick Douglass once said “The mind does not take its complexion from the skin” Many people in the town of Maycomb feel that colored people are less important because of their skin. Life is too short to only see the outside of people. In “To kill a mockingbird” by Harper lee, The story takes place down South in a town called Maycomb. In this small town there is racism, discrimination. kindness, and innocence, Symbolism is issued throughout the novel by Harper Lee to introduce the topic of racism.…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I realize Harper Lee titled the novel To kill A Mockingbird because killing a mockingbird was a supposed mortal sin because it did nothing harmful but brought joy and gave people something without anything in return, it gave it's beautiful music that brings happiness to all. Reworded the title is to kill a peaceful soul as in Tom Robinson. Tom was helping Mayella and getting nothing back, not saying that he expected something but just because he was doing it out of the kindness of his heart, much like a mockingbird. Tom is symbolized by a mocking bird because he is a very peaceful character. Throughout the story he is accused of all of these awful things that I do not believe he did.…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, “it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” So, mockingbirds are harmless, innocent creatures, and killing them is wrong, because they don't hurt anyone. The mockingbird represents innocence and purity. After all it only sings for us to hear its music, they don’t bother us or harm us. So, to kill a mockingbird is a sin because you destroy innocence. Throughout the book, a number of characters like Tom Robinson, Dill, Boo Radley, and Mr. Raymond can be identified as mockingbirds.…

    • 982 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Mockingbird symbolizes innocence, hope and peace. Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the greatest books I have read. While reading the book I have chose some people to be mockingbirds. I chose Atticus and Tom Robinson to be mockingbirds. I chose these two particular people because they both play a wonderful part in the book and haven't done anything horrible. They just try to help others out and never lied once.…

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Symbolism is used throughout the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. A mockingbird is used as a metaphor in the book. Some characters are portrayed as a mockingbird, including Tom Robinson, Scout Finch, and Boo Radley. These characters represent mockingbirds in different ways.…

    • 477 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life...have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” By this, he means: don't let the voices and beliefs of others overrule yours, but instead follow your own intuition. This is exactly what Atticus teaches his children in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the novel, Atticus shows his children that even though everyone may be against your belief or stand on something, continue to think for yourself even though others may disagree.…

    • 398 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The symbol of The Mockingbird represents various characters throughout the novel and helps develop the theme of moral injustice. Tom robinson is an example of a “Mockingbird” because he never did anything wrong, however he was shot and wrongfully accused. The explanation of “a mockingbird” can be found in the book when Miss.Maudie says “ Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy (...) they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird”(Lee, 119). This explains why it is wrong for one to kill a mockingbird; since they do not cause anyone misfortune, it would be morally unjust to cause them misfortune. Tom Robinson is symbolized as a mockingbird…

    • 771 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    One Shot Finch Courage

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Atticus had a great talent of being able use a gun very well. However, Atticus had no attention in the kids knowing that he was know as “one shot Finch”. When the dog came into town he had no other decision than to shoot and kill the dog to save the kids and the town. Scout explains, “In a fog, Jem and I watched our father take the gun and walk into the middle of the street… Jem was paralyzed, I pinched him to get him moving but then atticus saw us coming he called, “Stay where you are,”... “What's the matter with you, Boy can't you talk?” said Mr. Tate, grinning at Jem. “Didn't you know your daddy's-” “Hush Heck,” said Atticus. Jem sat in numb confusion” (Lee, 128). Atticus shows great courage by pulling out his talents when he didn't want the kids to know about it. However as a father he had to save the kids from any harm. Atticus hit the dog in one shot, but he makes it seem like it is no big deal and doesn't want anyone talking or seeing him any different. Atticus doesn't want the kids thinking he is so great because of that, rather having the kids think that he is a great person and doing it because of that. All in all, Atticus shows courage by shooting the dog in front of all the people when he really didn't want this coming back up when it didn't have…

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays