Chapter 10: The Rabid Dog

1. Chapter 10: The Rabid Dog Objectives: To understand the significance of the shooting in the novel To Understand how Atticus contributes to the development of Scout and Jem

2. Chapter 10 • The children regard Atticus as ‘feeble’ because he is 50 years old and never takes part in sports, such as shooting, as other young fathers do. By giving them airguns he allows them to shoot at birds but insists the children ‘remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird’ because mockingbirds do no harm – they simply sing. One Saturday the children spot a dog with rabies in the street. Calpurnia phones Atticus, who comes home immediately with Heck Tate, the sheriff, who asks Atticus to kill the dog because of Atticus’s superior skill with a gun. Atticus reluctantly, but with great expertise, kills the dog instantly. Later his astonished children learn that their father gave up shooting long ago on moral grounds.

3. Re-read Ch 10 • Look for the following: • Atticus’s attitude • The way the others see Atticus – changes? • The children’s reaction

4. Key Quote • “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for people to enjoy… but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird • Discuss

5. Key questions • What does Atticus teach Scout and Jem? • What important experiences do they have? • How are they changing?