Bob Ewell Character Analysis Essay

To Eliminate A Mockingbird by Harper Lee highlights the horrors of bias that allows one man to ruin another based entirely on skin color. Lee portrays Bob Ewell as an embodiment of racial hatred and lack of ethical stability. The story happens in a little southern town where prejudice is a way of living. When confronted with the possibility of his daughter wanting a black man, Ewell beats her out of enmity towards the black race and blames the guy for Ewell's own actions.

Bob Ewell suffers no guilt for the lies he spreads out due to his violent habits, unprincipled frame of mind and prejudiced outlook.

Bob Ewell's behavior is defined best when Miss Stephanie describes "today Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post workplace corner, spat in his face, and told him he 'd get him if it took the rest of his life'. Ewell's initial reaction to seeing Atticus is to disrespect him and spit on him.

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This shows deeply on his character, as it reveals that he is most likely violent and ill-mannered to everybody no matter what their background is.

Fischler 2

Ewell lived without a conscience and made immoral decisions without a tip of regret. Ewell demonstrates his dishonest mindset when he attempts to kill Atticus' children * to get vengeance on Atticus for protecting a black guy, despite the fact that Ewell won the trial.

Of every one of Ewell’s malevolent traits, his prejudice is his most predominant. Ewell clearly states his racism when he says "He stood up and pointed his finger at Tom Robinson.

'I seen that black negro yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!'" He refers to Tom as an animal by using the term “ruttin’” and uses vulgar language to further show his disgust in people different than him.

In the story, Bob Ewell gets a man sentenced to prison/death not because of his wrongdoings, but because of his ethnicity. I believe this morally wrong and that being able to show your hatred publicly and acting on it should be stopped at all costs. This book is a prime example of why.