Fifteen Dogs

Chapter Three explores Atticus’s character and thought process, its impact on Zeus, and the consequences on Benjy. 

When he first assumed leadership of the pack, Atticus instituted four rules: “No strange talk,” “A strong leader,” “A good den,” and “The weak in their proper place” (93). Atticus regrets Bobbie’s murder because he recognizes that it chased away Benjy and Dougie, leaving the pack without small dogs who would accept being the lowest echelon. This created a power imbalance that resulted in yet another pack member’s death. 

Though capable of subordinating thought to “forceful action” and “instinctive decisions,” Atticus has “a conscience” (92.) This conscience eventually leads him to have faith in an ideal dog, a “dog of dogs” (96) to whom he turns for guidance as the pack begins to fall apart. He creates a shrine to this ideal dog, where each night he leaves a portion of his food as an offering. Atticus’s sacrifice moves Zeus.

Zeus discovers Apollo and Hermes’s wager and chastises them for their cruelty. Dogs will “suffer twice as much as humans do” because of “their senses and instincts” (92). He commands Apollo and Hermes not to interfere with the dogs any further.