Michael the archangel, the enforcer of God’s law and judgement is viewed by many as the closest one ever gets to such supreme power. What many do not seem to realize is that this same power takes a human form in a sheriff. In a society where law is to be considered above all else, a sheriff; the upholder law is the physical manifestation of justice. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is told from the perspective of a then six year old Scout and takes place in the southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. Scout 's father, Atticus Finch is defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who is falsely accused of rape. The father of the false rape victim, Bob Ewell, is an abusive alcoholic who has a distaste for Atticus, as he is defending Robinson,
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When readers compare the actions Tate took in the Tom Robinson trial in comparison to the murder of Bob Ewell, it is evident that Tate forgets the beliefs he chooses to uphold through most of the book and only prejudice and insincerity consume him. Tate is not only thought of to be a good sheriff, but also a good being as stated by Atticus,“… it’s mighty kind of you and I know you’re doing it from that good heart of yours…” (365). Tate is not only shown as a decent man, he is shown as a man who values life and does not want to hurt anyone as represented on page 127, where he is called to the scene where a mad dog is on the loose, but he doesn’t want to shoot at it. He instead gives his rifle to Atticus. He is also shown as a man who rushes to everyone’s aid, an example of this is would at the courthouse; when he recalls Bob Ewell telling him that his daughter has been raped. Mr. Gilmer asks if he went to Bob Ewell’s house and Mr. Tate says, “Certainly. Got in the car and went out as fast as I could.”(223). However, regardless of the fact Tate is portrayed as a thoughtful, and decent man, he did not act as the honorable man he was depicted to be when it came to the Tom Robinson case. He arrested Tom Robinson, disregarding the fact that there was no legitimate proof. He arrested Robinson just by the accusation of Mayella, “So I went down to Robinson’s house and brought him back. She identified him as the one, so I took him in.”(223). This makes the reader question why he did not do the same thing with the murder of Ewell. If Tate could arrest Robinson just by the word of Mayella, could he not have done the same for the murder of Ewell and the word of Atticus, or one of the other witnesses. Tate’s prejudice towards Robinson is clear as he chooses to arrest him, but does not arrest Radley. Tate’s actions in the
When readers compare the actions Tate took in the Tom Robinson trial in comparison to the murder of Bob Ewell, it is evident that Tate forgets the beliefs he chooses to uphold through most of the book and only prejudice and insincerity consume him. Tate is not only thought of to be a good sheriff, but also a good being as stated by Atticus,“… it’s mighty kind of you and I know you’re doing it from that good heart of yours…” (365). Tate is not only shown as a decent man, he is shown as a man who values life and does not want to hurt anyone as represented on page 127, where he is called to the scene where a mad dog is on the loose, but he doesn’t want to shoot at it. He instead gives his rifle to Atticus. He is also shown as a man who rushes to everyone’s aid, an example of this is would at the courthouse; when he recalls Bob Ewell telling him that his daughter has been raped. Mr. Gilmer asks if he went to Bob Ewell’s house and Mr. Tate says, “Certainly. Got in the car and went out as fast as I could.”(223). However, regardless of the fact Tate is portrayed as a thoughtful, and decent man, he did not act as the honorable man he was depicted to be when it came to the Tom Robinson case. He arrested Tom Robinson, disregarding the fact that there was no legitimate proof. He arrested Robinson just by the accusation of Mayella, “So I went down to Robinson’s house and brought him back. She identified him as the one, so I took him in.”(223). This makes the reader question why he did not do the same thing with the murder of Ewell. If Tate could arrest Robinson just by the word of Mayella, could he not have done the same for the murder of Ewell and the word of Atticus, or one of the other witnesses. Tate’s prejudice towards Robinson is clear as he chooses to arrest him, but does not arrest Radley. Tate’s actions in the