To Kill A Mockingbird Inspired Dog Names

Throughout the history of humanity, there’s much to be said about the cultural depictions of dogs. As relationships developed between people and canines, their roles and reverence evolved and with it, their representation to the masses. Over time, their images and literary references have depicted much about what we’ve come to know about them including their potential for protection, loyalty, guidance, vigilance and even love. 

Many great authors throughout history have likewise used them as symbols for greater meaning, oftentimes as overt as they are keen with subtext. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee follows this tradition with poetic expertise, using both birds and bird dogs to create a rich narrative replete with deep symbolism that not only reflects the intricacies and dynamics of the story, but also of the times and cultural context in which it occurred. 

While the name Tim Johnson might sound like an average character to the uninitiated, it’s actually the name of an important dog who helps to capture and represent several of the overarching themes prevalent throughout the book. Tim is considered “the pet of Maycomb”, a dog that somewhat aimlessly wanders but is cared for by many members of the community. One day the children notice the dog acting very strange, which is later confirmed by Calpurnia, who tells the Finch kids that he is quite sick and unfortunately, also dangerous. While they see the dog’s behavior as different and off, they cannot see that he is aggressive, mad or significantly unsettled. As the story progresses along with the trial of Tom Robinson, who is unjustly put on trial as a scapegoat for the evils of Bob Ewell, Scout learns that much like Tim Johnson, the people of Maycomb County share some shocking similarities in that they appear normal, calm and collected on the surface, but underneath, madness rages in dangerous ways. In turn, Tim’s approach of the neighborhood keeps even the mockingbirds, a widespread symbol of innocence in the story, still in their perches. 

Unfortunately, the outcome is that Tim Johnson becomes too much of a danger for the neighborhood to take. Atticus, who, despite being an incredible marksman rarely picks up his gun due to the fact that his good nature keeps him from wanting an advantage over those less fortunate, is eventually forced to shoot and kill the dog, and with it, culminates the loss of innocence that coincides the with eventual death of Tom Robinson, who is convicted for a crime he did not commit. In doing so, the sacrifice of Tim Johnson became a staple of dog-centric symbolism upheld by another great contributor to American fiction.