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Post by Steve Gibbs on Apr 12, 2006 11:14:04 GMT -5
Atticus’s shooting ability: Why is it revealed? Why was it hidden until the rabid dog appeared? Is it connected to him buying the children b-b guns? Is it connected to the novel’s title?
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Post by barron1 on Apr 12, 2006 17:58:22 GMT -5
His shooting ability is revealed until it's despretly needed because, he dosen't want to show anybody it mosly because he thinks that the animals have an unfair advantage under his ability. He is more of a peaceful type of person and he wants to express it through giving the children BB guns. But, he doesn't want to teach them becasue that would give the secret away.
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Post by davidk on Apr 12, 2006 18:04:01 GMT -5
atticus is a very humble man and he dislikes violence there for he probably wouldnt brag that he has a good shot
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Post by traviszucca on Apr 12, 2006 18:42:12 GMT -5
It is revealed because he shot the wild dog. It is hidden because Atticus doesn't like to talk about what he does and that he doesn't want to get the kids completely obsessed in shooting. It isn't connected because he wouldn't want to reveal his secret. It is connected to the title because if you kill a mockingbird it is unlucky.
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Post by barron1 on Apr 12, 2006 18:58:05 GMT -5
he probaly killed a mocking bird as a child so he didn't want the chlidren to have the same misfortune to happen to them as well.
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Post by isabeauc on Apr 12, 2006 20:45:42 GMT -5
I think that Aticuss' shooting ability is a crucial part of this story. It's even in the title! I can't remember who said it, probably Ms. Maudie, but someone said that killing a mockingbird was unlucky. A lot of times, authors write things so that they can reveal what is really important. I believe that this may be the case with the rabid dog. Harper Lee needed to say that Atticus was a good shot, so she brought the dog in to show it. I think that maybe Atticus wanted to show the children that peace was the important thing. To avoid having to use a firearm crucial. By buying them the b-b guns, he could teach them the reality about firearms. They could also learn how to shoot, just in case they ever needed it.
I think Nick might be onto something. Maybe Atticus did kill a mockingbird when he was younger.
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Post by ahmedb on Apr 12, 2006 22:02:25 GMT -5
I think somewhere in Atticus's past he had done something with his rife, possibly hurt or killed someone. This came from when he said " its a sin to kill a mockingbird." This could be reference to how he gave his childish past away and decided to be more mature about it. He didn't want to tell his children because he knew that they would make a fuss about it and tell people which might greatly affect the way they think about him and the trial. When he was called to action, Jem knew what he had to do and how to be mature about it.
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Post by johnnyn11 on Apr 13, 2006 10:33:54 GMT -5
I think his shooting ability is shown when the dog comes because he said that he would reveal his shooting only when it was totally necessary. He said that the time was right because mad dogs are extremely dangerous. Thats why he didnt want the kids going near the dog even when it was dead. I also thinks he is trying to teach Jem a lesson about being a gentlemen. He is showing that if you want to be a gentlemen you do not have to boast like your the greatest at something. This helps Jem because after this he tries to become more of a gentlemen.
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Post by mariea on Apr 14, 2006 14:34:18 GMT -5
I think his shooting ability was shown when the rabied dog showed up so he can show that he only uses that ability to protect people. Not to destroy them intentionally. When he got the children b-b guns he didn't want to teach them because he knew what it could do, do he let his brother teach. He didn't want them to shoot animals just for the fun of it. But he shot the dog because it wasn't safe for the people.
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Post by lee on Apr 14, 2006 21:42:44 GMT -5
Atticus does not show his children how to shoot because he is the teacher of all the good things and all the morals and what they should do. Other relatives usually don't show these things. Killing and shooting was probably on the lower end of the list for something to be proud of. Being honest and caring for others no matter who it is is something to be proud of. Atticus was in the middle of teaching Jem to be gentlemanly when he had the necesity of protecting everyone in the neighborhood, which when he had to took into his own hands. His children seemed to get the wrong point. They got the thing that they as children always get..."my dad can shoot better than yours!" and "my dad can play football better than yours!" when the protection was the real thing. The pellet rifles and the title of the book are probably related, because why else would Mr. Gibbs mention this. He never mentions things without a purpose!
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Post by readc on Apr 15, 2006 13:48:38 GMT -5
He probably just doesn't want his kidsto shoot at the wrong thing. Wanna bet he shot something by accident and felt terrible about it, and he never shot another bullet until he needed to. But I don't think he shot a mocking bird. I think that is a hidden metaphor.
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Post by elliottgrossman on Apr 18, 2006 2:48:59 GMT -5
I think it is revealed because a time came where it was needed to save others. The crazy dog needed to be put down. Then the reason it was never brought up before is because Atticus is not one to brag about strengths in himself. I believe it could have somethin to do with why the kids got b-b guns and the title of the story. This could be by maybe the kids attempting to kill a mocking bird ,which is bad luck, with there guns Atticus bought them.
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Post by tusting on Apr 18, 2006 20:49:05 GMT -5
i agree with elliot, but i think it had a more signifigant meaning then that. atticus' children were really doubting him at the time, and were disapionted and shameful in a way because of his age; he was unable to do what much of the other fathers could do. for instance, the church football game between the fathers, atticus said he was too old, and you could tell that his kids were really disapionted in this. they went around asking neighbors what atticus could do, and found letdown with the results. but when atticus shot the dog with amazing accuracy, it brougt revelation to his kids. they found out that he used to have the best shot in the area and about his great skill at shooting. they were finally proud of thier father, which is improtant in the story.
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Post by tusting on Apr 18, 2006 20:55:24 GMT -5
oh, forgot to answer one o' the questions. yes, i think it is connected to him buying his children B-B guns. for one, it is something they really wanted, and two, it was one of his favorite past-times as a kid, even if they did not know it at the time. and yes again, it is connected to the title. they discuss how you can kill any bird but a mocking bird, for that is a sin. this is because a mocking bird does not harm anything or anyone, it simply sings songs for the pleasure of the human ear. i am not sure yet how this relates to the title, but i think as i finish the book i will find out.
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Post by kohl on Apr 19, 2006 0:29:44 GMT -5
Atticus has matured since he was younger. He knows now that it doesn't really matter what others think of you, it's what you think of yourself. He didn't show the children before now because he didn't want them to think he was proud of it and would want them to brag. He is a very humble man and wouldn't do that to someone. I think it sort of is related to him buying the kids guns. He wants them to go through what he did, in hopes of them growing up and understanding what he now knows.
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