Robert E. Lee "Bob" Ewell is a character from To Kill A Mockingbird. He is arguably the story's main antagonist, as he serves for a symbol of both prejudice and racism.
In the Story[]
Bob Ewell doesn't like the fact that Finch chooses to defend a black man named Tom Robinson, accused of abusing Ewell's daughter. When Ewell attends the trial and testifies, his "side" wins the case, despite strong evidence that Robinson never committed such a crime. Also in the court case Atticus help discover evidence that Robert Ewell might have abused his daughter. She contradicts this, saying, "He does 'tollable", but she may be lying.
He is still humiliated at the trial, and goes on a horrific crime spree, as way of him taking justice into his own hands and/or covering up his tracks by, trying to break into Judge Taylor's house. He also spits in Atticus' face and menaces Tom's widow. Later, Ewell even attempts to murder Finch's children (Jem and Scout) while they are walking home on Halloween night by a large oak tree. His murder attempt failed, when Arthur "Boo" Radley took a kitchen knife and killed Bob Ewell to prevent him from harming the Finch children. Ewell was stopped, but not before he broke Jem's arm and tried to kill Scout (however she was saved by her ham costume from the play.) Heck Tate, knowing Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell, covered this up by saying that Bob fell on his own knife, and therefore killed himself. Atticus briefly tries to stop Tate before choosing not to.
He is a strong alcoholic and poaches game to feed his family, as a result of his spending whatever money he legally gains on alcohol. Also at the time the south was still poor from the American Civil War making it hard for people like Ewell to make a living. Near the end of the book when Scout is grabbed by Bob Ewell she mentions that she can smell alcohol. This is a reference to Bob Ewell being an alcoholic.
Trivia[]
- Bob Ewell's name is based off of Robert E. Lee, who was best known for being a confederate general during the American Civil War.
Gallery[]
.png "Bob Ewell (1).png (27 KB)")
.png "Bob Ewell (2).png (417 KB)")
.png "Bob Ewell (4).png (31 KB)")
.png "Bob Ewell (3).png (124 KB)")