[blueunicorn6]

And he was a dog shooter.

People miss that part.

Atticus could kill to defend his family and town against a mad dog.

People just conveniently forget that.

What was the author saying when she put this in the story?

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Bump.

[goodwithagun]

To paraphrase Miss Maudie, Atticus was comfortable doing the jobs that nobody else had the nerve to do. Our personal biases are fine as long as we don't violate anybody’s basic Constitutional rights.

[Rinnwald]

What was the author saying when she put this in the story?

She was indicating that Atticus was a real man and not a poofter. It was meant to innoculate the character's views on equality from being degenerate, or viewed as an aberration.

TKaM was some mighty fine liberal propaganda. Not that the races shouldn't be treated equally and with dignity, but as a libel against southern culture. All of the institutions, save for the lone hero, were evil, turning everything upside down. The only other white male that did right was the weirdo and recluse Boo Radley.

[atc23]

Harper Lee is a southern lady - before anything else. She is old school.

[BfloGuy]

What was the author saying when she put this in the story?

Um, read the linked article and find out.