Why did Atticus suggest that the children disguise their snowman?

For the first time in years, Maycomb endures a real winter. There is even light snowfall, an event rare enough

for school to be closed. Jem and Scout haul as much snow as they could from Miss Maudie’s yard to their own.

Since there is not enough snow to make a real snowman, they build a small figure out of dirt and cover it with

snow. They make it look like Mr. Avery, an unpleasant man who lives down the street. The figure’s likeness to

Mr. Avery is so strong that Atticus demands that they disguise it. Jem places Miss Maudie’s sunhat on its head

and sticks her hedge clippers in its hands, much to her chagrin.