Harper Lee was an excellent storyteller. She not only had a gift for characterisation, but she also was good at setting the tone in a story and creating suspense. She inserted several Gothic elements in the story like the snow which was unusual for that part of the country, and Tim Johnson the mad dog. This was part of the theme of good vs evil. Jem and Scout were often embarrassed because Aticus was so much older than many of the other dads, especially Jem. The insertion of the mad dog who Aticus says, "is just as dangerous dead as alive," was a brilliant way to show good, brave (Aticus) overcome evil (the dog). The secondary affect was that and Scout see their father in a new light and amazed to find out that his father was one of the "best shots" in the county.
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