What is important about the Mad Dog scene in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Question: What is important about the Mad Dog scene in To Kill a Mockingbird!?
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It shows that it is sometimes necessary to kill something for protection, which relates to the death of Bob Ewell later on in the novel!.

It shows us that Atticus is unwilling to take advantage of something that can't fight back!. He feels that his talent for shooting demands that he be more careful and thoughtful about those who are unable to fight!. This stance is one of the reasons that Atticus must defend Tom Robinson, a black man helpless against the "rifles" of prejudice carried by many white people in Maycomb!.

The incident with the mad dog symbolises the town's dependence upon Atticus' protection from both the animal and the worst evil in themselves!.

Although the children recognise that the dog's behaviour is odd, he doesn't look mad to them!. We can see this because Scout mentions the certain characteristics that she would expect him to have and highlights the fact that he doesn't show any of these!. This is symbolic of the town, who behave very much like Tim Robinson during Tom Robinson's trial!. They appear to look the same but danger lurks beneath!.

One of the key themes is good and evil!. The novel gives a very harsh view in the scene and it puts across the message that there is evil in the work that needs getting rid of, rather than trying to help it become good!. It also shows that evil spreads and needs dealing with before it affects others!. This is symbolic of Bob Ewell, because, just as the dogs with rabies spreads disease, Bob Ewell spreads prejudice!.

Another important theme is Southern Gothic!. We see elements of this through the part that says: "Nothing is more deadly than a deserted, waiting street!. The trees were still, the mockingbirds were silent!.!.!."

This builds up tension and suspense, which makes the reader feel that something is going to happen!. The lack of people and silance is very typical of the style!.

The fact that this scene occurs shortly before Mrs Dubose' death allows us to contrast different types of courage!.

The description in this passage is very important and both a simile("shiver like a hose shedding flies") and a metaphor ("advancing at a snail's pace" are used!.

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"The incident with the mad dog demonstrates Atticus's courage and symbolizes the town's dependence upon his protection from both the rabid animal and the worst evil within themselves!. That Scout, in particular, is so impressed with the masculine prowess with which she associates his marksmanship symbolizes how much she has to learn about courage!. For, in Atticus's mind, true bravery has nothing to do with weapons!. The subsequent events surrounding Mrs!. Dubose give him an opportunity to show Jem what he considers real courage!. Mrs!. Dubose, in many ways, represents everything wrong with Maycomb: she is unforgivably racist, raining curses on the children and denigrating Atticus for representing a black man!. Yet the darkness in her is balanced by her bravery and determination, and just as Atticus loves Maycomb despite its flaws, he respects Mrs!. Dubose for possessing “real courage,” which he explains as “when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what!.” This attitude, of course, fittingly describes Atticus's approach to the Tom Robinson case!. Atticus puts into practice every moral idea that he espouses, which is the key to his importance in Maycomb and his heroism in the novel!."Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm not sure about the "mockingbird" symbolism, but I think it just shows that Atticus will use a gun to protect Maycomb from the mad dog, Tim Johnson, but he will not use one for a hobby, like he used to!. He doesn't believe in violence but he believes in using the gun to help the people of Maycomb, and help the dog from his suffering!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is right and just (and sometimes necessary) to kill something for self protection!.

Thus later in the story when the drunk antagonist is killed, the symbolism is the same!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Shows Atticus has a talent (for shooting) but doesn't want to use it!. The dog is a mockingbird, it's not his fault- but atticus knows he has to shoot it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's in this scene that Scout and Jem really begin to see their father for who he really is and that their respect for him increases!. Www@QuestionHome@Com