Text Analysis

Tim Johnson, an old dog wanders the neighborhood as a kind of community pet until it gets rabies and Atticus is appointed to shoot it. Tim Johnson is a representation of the community's "usual disease" of racism. Like rabies, racism in Maycomb spreads from person to person and "infects" them. Racist ideals can be spread as they can be passed down from generation to generation as well as spread through talk on the street since during the time period, racism was a normal thing. 

This scene in the book is very significant as the rabid dog stands as a symbol for racism. When Atticus shoots the dog, it symbolizes how Atticus is "shooting" at racism in a way and getting rid of it. Not only this, but the scene shows how Atticus is seen as a protector of some sorts. He shoots the diseased dog to protect the neighborhood. At the same time, Atticus is protecting Tom Robinson, a black man. By protecting a black man, Atticus is helping rid the "usual disease" and protect the community from it as he is a respected man and is setting an example to the community to stop injustice and racism.