It is appropriate to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird because of what Ms. Maudie said, "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do a single thing but sing their hears out for us" (pp 119). She is trying to explain how there is nothing not to love about mockingbirds for all they do for us is to appreciate; they sing and lift our hearts. Tim Johnson was a well loved pet of Maycomb, and like a mockingbird, was most likely a good dog that brought joy to the townspeople. However, Tim was old and Scout and Jem noticed he was acting strange. Although it was never said what disease the dog had, it can be accurately inferred the dog was dangerous and a threat to people by spreading the sickness. This means the dog was doing the opposite of goodness like a singing mockingbird, and therefore Atticus could shoot it without doing a sin. Even the mere description of the dog, sick, lopsided, reminding Scout of a car stuck in a sand-bed was intimidating and definitely not like the harmless mockingbird singing in the trees. Overall, it is okay to shoot the mad dog because of its frightening appearance, behaviors and sickness, but never a mockingbird that only sings and fills our hearts with joy.
Was it right for Atticus to shoot the dog, even if it is sick and acting weird?
I do not think Atticus should have killed that dog. That dog was someones pet, and did no harm to anybody and was not a threat. I think it would have been appropriate to kill the dog if it was intending to do something bad to someone or something. An old dog like that should not have been killed and i think there will consequences for it as we move farther on in the story.
ReplyDeleteI think that the dog was definitely a threat because it would have gave everyone diseases if it was not killed right away. It was totally appropriate for Atticus to shoot it, so that they would not get any diseases. On the other hand, it is not appropriate to kill a mockingbird because all they do is sing for us and they do not harm us in anyway, according to Mrs. Maudie.
ReplyDeleteI agree. If a mockingbird was a threat, it would not be a sin to kill it. This is why killing the dog was the right choice. The dog could have injured, or killed anyone in the neighborhood. Shooting the dog might have also put it out of its misery. If the dog has a disease, it is likely in pain, and shooting the dog would stop the pain. Do you the idea of non- threats will come up later in the book, how?
ReplyDeleteI think that through the book, we have seen that Atticus has a strong sense of right and wrong. Although the views of many Maycomb residents are tainted by racism, Atticus believes in justice, and if in fact something is guilty, or possibly a threat, it is not a sin to kill it. Killing a threat or nuisance such as a rabid dog or bluejay will stop more harm from being created, whereas killing something innocent and pure has no positive effect on the world, and is unethical, in addition to an abuse of power. Although Atticus assumed that the dog was rabid and decided to kill it to be safe, he ultimately made the decision that would benefit the most people, therefore it is not a sin.
ReplyDeleteI think that through the book, we have seen that Atticus has a strong sense of right and wrong. Although the views of many Maycomb residents are tainted by racism, Atticus believes in justice, and if in fact something is guilty, or possibly a threat, it is not a sin to kill it. Killing a threat or nuisance such as a rabid dog or bluejay will stop more harm from being created, whereas killing something innocent and pure has no positive effect on the world, and is unethical, in addition to an abuse of power. Although Atticus assumed that the dog was rabid and decided to kill it to be safe, he ultimately made the decision that would benefit the most people, therefore it is not a sin.
ReplyDelete