Chapters 10/11: Why do you think Atticus never revealed he was an expert marksman? (Antrias)
Atticus never revealed that he was an expert marksman because he has become a very simple and calm person, he never looses his temper and always makes sure his children are doing both the right and smart thing. In addition, Atticus has grown older and does not enjoy violence as he used to. For example, when Scout was explaining how feeble Atticus was during football, she says "but when Jem wanted to tackle him Atticus would say I'm too old for that son" (Lee 102). This quote supports the notion that Atticus has grown old for violence and horseplay and does not enjoy it anymore. Atticus might not have wanted to reveal his shooting skills because he has matured to see how violent and horrible guns are. As stated earlier, Atticus wants the best for his children and he does not want them to follow in his violent footsteps.
Atticus doesn't want his kids to know he is a good marksman because he is a calm, grounded person. He says, “I haven’t shot a gun in thirty years” (Lee 109), showing that it is not just because of his kids that he stopped; he didn’t want to focus on shooting and killing. Atticus knows he has the power to shoot, but because of his “gift” or “unfair advantage”, he doesn’t want to shoot unless it is a danger to people.
ReplyDeleteAtticus doesn't want Jem and Scout to know he is a marksman because it's in his past and it's something the kids shouldn't have to worry or talk about. I agree that he is now a simple and calm person as well. He has grown too old to even play football any more with Jem, taken from page 102. He knows he can shoot the dog, but he doesn't want to bring out his past self again.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with Antrias about Atticus being a very "simple and calm person", I don't fully agree on the statement that Atticus never revealed he was an expert marksman because he wanted his children to "do the smart and right thing". I say this because Atticus never specifically stated that he thought guns were wrong of juvenile, he just believed that many people use guns for the wrong reason. The only reason that he ended up shooting the gun in the first place was because Tim Johnson was a threat to his family and neighbors. In the beginning of chapter 10, Atticus says to Jem, "'I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."' (Lee 103). I believe that Atticus says this because he would not like Jem to go after birds in the first place, but knowing he will he permissis him to shoot "all the bluejays you want" but he must remember, "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". It can be inferred that Lee is trying to indicate that Atticus is against the shooting of living things, but hates the killing of living things that have done no harm to others, and that is why he would dislike guns and the idea of killing helpless people and animals.
ReplyDeleteAtticus does not tell Scout and Jem that he is an expert marksman because he is ashamed that his “only” talent is shooting and gun violence. For example, Scout and Jem get air rifles for Christmas but he tells them only to shoot tin cans but Uncle Jack has to teach them because Atticus does not want to show the children. When Tim Johnson goes wild, Atticus has no option but to show his kinds his true self. Ms. Maudie tries to explain to the kids about why their father would keep such a secret. “I guess he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today” (Lee 112).
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