Chapter 10 Summary

Scout and Jem are feeling almost ashamed of their father in this chapter because he seems too old and feeble to do much of anything. He won't play tackle football with Jem, he doesn't have a job that causes admiration, he wouldn't play in the Methodist's touch football game against theBaptists, it doesn't really seem like there is anything special about their father. He is very passive and did not want Scout to fight at school anymore for him and told Jem and Scout that they should not shoot a mockingbird with their air rifles as it is a sin because they do nothing harmful, they are only songbirds.
Scout's doubt of her father came up in a conversation with their neighbour Miss Maudie. She talks to Miss Maudie about how she believes that her father can't do anything that everyone else's father can. Miss Maudie assures her that Atticuz is not that old and he can still do lots of things. He is a very good lawyer, the best checker-player in Maycomb county and he can also play the Jew's Harp which not everybody can do. With all Miss Maudie's efforts Scout still doesn't find a reason to be proud of her father.When Scout returns home she decides to take up the topic again with their cook, Calpurnia. Calpurnia said that Atticuz can still do lots of things but she just couldn't think of them at that point.
Later on that day Mr. Harry Johnson's dog Tim was wondering down the road towards the Finsh's neighbourhood. He was walking awekwardly and looked like he was being strangley compelled to walk that direction. As he came closer they realized the truth of it, that the poor dog had rabies. Calpurinia phones Atticus at work and tried to let everyone know to stay inside. The sheriff was called but was too unsure of his shooting aim and handed the gun to Atticus. this confused Jem and Scout completely as they ahd never seen their father with a gun in his hand. Atticuz tried to refuse but he couldn't in the end. He threw his glasses to the ground and took out the mad dog in a single shot just before he reached the row of houses.
With this Scout and Jem are bursting with questions and they soon learn that their father used to be called "Ol' One-Shot". Atticuz did not abuse his talent because he felt that it was not right, like he had an unfair advantage over other living things. Scout is still quite confused that her father has never told them this thinking he would be proud of his gift. Jem on the other hand understands how his father feels and knows not to pester him farther about the subject.

I think that Scout and Jem should have had more faith in their father's ability. I mean I would have been rpoud of my father if he was a good lawyer like Atticus. There is definately something to be proud of when your dad helps defend innocent people and keep them from beign charged wrongly or helping them through making a will or the like. I also understand why Atticus never told Scout or Jem about being "the deadest shot in Maycomb county." He did not want them to go around bragging about it and the fact that he was not proud of this gift. He felt like it was an unfair advantage against nature itself. Atticuz is a quiet, level-headed man and if he was more known for that it would change how people treated him entirely.