Scout the narrator opens Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird by describing Atticus as old and feeble:
Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty. When Jem and I asked him why he was so old, he said he got started late, which we felt reflected upon his abilities and manliness. (Ch. 10)
In other words, Scout and Jem are embarrassedby the fact that Atticus is older than the fathers of other kids...
Scout the narrator opens Chapter 10 of To Kill a Mockingbird by describing Atticus as old and feeble:
Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty. When Jem and I asked him why he was so old, he said he got started late, which we felt reflected upon his abilities and manliness. (Ch. 10)
In other words, Scout and Jem are embarrassed by the fact that Atticus is older than the fathers of other kids their age and feel he is feeble because of his age.
In their eyes, Atticus's feebleness is revealed in many ways. First, Atticus is unable to play football with Jem, which severely disappoints Jem since he loves football so much. Atticus is able to play keep-away, but whenever asked to play tackle football, Atticus replies, "I'm too old for that, son." Second, Scout feels his feebleness is reflected in his boring job. In Scout's eyes, Atticus doesn't do anything interesting like "drive a dump-truck for the county," be a sheriff, a farmer, or work in a garage. All Atticus does is work in an office, which is not "anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone."
However, as the chapter progresses, the children soon learn Atticus has talents he keeps secret, such as excellent marksmanship. As the novel progresses, the children learn just how admirable Atticus's job as a lawyer truly can be.
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