In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Bob Ewell the antagonist, exposes his flaws unintentionally to the town of Maycomb. Bob Ewell accuses an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, of raping his daughter. Atticus Finch, Tom’s lawyer, is determined to make a valid case to prove Tom’s innocence in a time of segregation toward the African American society. Scout and Jem, Atticus’ children, are substantially impacted by the result of the case, and the behavior of the people in Maycomb. Bob Ewell is totally against the Finch family’s thoughts and efforts. Bob Ewell’s inconsiderate ways characterize him as a liability to the Maycomb community due to his thoughtless actions. Throughout the novel, Bob Ewell continuously executes his careless actions
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The trial found Tom Robinson guilty because of the town’s prejudice toward black people. Tom was put in a local jail, but he would have had a chance to be released because of the right to appeal. Tom Robinson, if still alive, had the right to appeal the case that would have given the town’s best lawyer, Atticus, a chance to persuade the judge into reversing the verdict. Mr. Robinson was stubborn about the appeal, so he decided to proceed with a dangerous plan. Tom attempts to escape from the jail by climbing the fence to the top, but he is shot down by police officers. Atticus has to tell Helen Robinson, Tom’s wife, about Tom’s death, and she becomes shaken by the turn of events. Link Deas, Tom’s old boss, offers Helen a job to work as a cook at his shop, but the Ewell family cannot seem to leave Helen alone. Every day Helen goes to work, the Ewell family, led by Bob, scold at her like she is a criminal. Helen tries to ignore the coldhearted Ewells for as long as possible, but soon has to take a different way. Helen tried to keep it to herself, but it soon slipped when talking to Mr. Link Deas one day. Link Deas was furious at the Ewells for treating Helen like this, so one day he decides to put an end to the problem. Link Deas says, “I know every last one of you in there a—layin’ on the floor! Now hear me Bob Ewell: if I hear one more peep outta my girl Helen about not bein’ able to walk this road I’ll have you in jail before sundown” (334). At first glance, this seems insignificant because Link Deas is just defending his employee, but on further inspection this act of retaliation shows the effect of Bob Ewell’s arrogance and inconsideracy against himself. In the town of Maycomb, the white males are considered to be the superior, while the African American women seem to be the lowest of a caste like system. Bob Ewell and Link Deas are both white males,
The trial found Tom Robinson guilty because of the town’s prejudice toward black people. Tom was put in a local jail, but he would have had a chance to be released because of the right to appeal. Tom Robinson, if still alive, had the right to appeal the case that would have given the town’s best lawyer, Atticus, a chance to persuade the judge into reversing the verdict. Mr. Robinson was stubborn about the appeal, so he decided to proceed with a dangerous plan. Tom attempts to escape from the jail by climbing the fence to the top, but he is shot down by police officers. Atticus has to tell Helen Robinson, Tom’s wife, about Tom’s death, and she becomes shaken by the turn of events. Link Deas, Tom’s old boss, offers Helen a job to work as a cook at his shop, but the Ewell family cannot seem to leave Helen alone. Every day Helen goes to work, the Ewell family, led by Bob, scold at her like she is a criminal. Helen tries to ignore the coldhearted Ewells for as long as possible, but soon has to take a different way. Helen tried to keep it to herself, but it soon slipped when talking to Mr. Link Deas one day. Link Deas was furious at the Ewells for treating Helen like this, so one day he decides to put an end to the problem. Link Deas says, “I know every last one of you in there a—layin’ on the floor! Now hear me Bob Ewell: if I hear one more peep outta my girl Helen about not bein’ able to walk this road I’ll have you in jail before sundown” (334). At first glance, this seems insignificant because Link Deas is just defending his employee, but on further inspection this act of retaliation shows the effect of Bob Ewell’s arrogance and inconsideracy against himself. In the town of Maycomb, the white males are considered to be the superior, while the African American women seem to be the lowest of a caste like system. Bob Ewell and Link Deas are both white males,