Question

In 200 words, explain how the incident with the rabid dog in chapter 10 and the death of Mrs. Dubose in chapter 11 relates to the theme of having moral courage?

Answer 1

If you’re talking about To Kill a Mockingbird:
The rabied dog was killed by Atticus when the sheriff asked him to take the shot. Atticus was against guns and taught his children that guns were not needed. The children however, found out that Atticus was a very good shot in his childhood, this is the reason why he was asked to take the shot. When he shot the dog, he overcame his problem with guns, and showed courage to even shoot the gun. When mrs Dubous died, the courage was shown through both of the children, especially Scout since she did not need to go to the house with her brother every day. After her death, the children learned that Atticus only made them go to her house after school everyday because he knew she was going to die and she deserved to have someone by her side when it happened. So even though the children were scared of her, they faced their fears to help her enjoy her last few days on earth.

Answer 2

These two incidents could unravel a hidden trait in the characters. The traits that cannot be seen before, cannot be thought before. Atticus Finch is seen as an old-fashioned, as a man in his own world by his boy, Jem. After the incident with a dog, Jem becomes impressed by his father and in other words he discovers his father. Until this time, Jem didn't know that his father was such a good shooter.

Similarly, in the second incident we observe the same discovery. Mrs. Dubose  is a very old, sick woman who lives alone and battles with her sickness which he becomes addicted to morphine. But she makes a choice and even knowing that her life comes to an end Mrs. Dubose overcomes her addiction.

The moral courage behind the stories is interpreted by Atticus himself after the death of Mrs. Dubose. He tells that the courage is something you know you're not going to win, but you do it anyway.