The Role Of Bob Ewell In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird was a splendid book that told the story of some children growing up in 1930’s Alabama. They book showed them develop character and wisdom as a side effect of witnessing racism firsthand. The death of the black man Tom Robinson in the novel was not detailed upon heavily, but it is interesting and thought-provoking to think about who was ultimately responsible for this death. Based on evidence from the book, Bob Ewell is the most viable candidate for who holds the most responsibility in terms of Tom’s death. Firstly, Bob Ewell was a dirty, wretched man who’s subpar parenting skills led his daughter to desperation. He was a drunk that ignored the family and treated them poorly. Because of his choices, his family's …show more content…
She did lead Tom into her home and she did try to have her way with him. However, she would not have gotten to that point if it had not been for Bob Ewell. If not for him and his lack of regard for his family, she would have never been pushed to do such a thing. “...it came to me that Mayella Ewell must have been the loneliest person in the world… white people wouldn't have anything to do with her because she lived among pigs…” (Lee, 1960, p.256) In this regard, Bob Ewell can still be seen to hold the majority of the blame. In conclusion, Bob Ewell can be deservingly named the person responsible for Tom’s death for a number of reasons. He, through his disgusting habits, character, and actions, began the chain of events which led to the death. Bob Ewell brought the case to court after being the one to beat his daughter, and made sure to try his best convince the jury that Tom did it. Despite there being other candidates who do definitely hold some extent of the blame, Bob Ewell, based on evidence and logic, is undeniably and ultimately responsible for Tom Robinson’s