What are the different ways Bob Ewell continues to be a
problem in Maycomb? Why do you think this is important?
Bob knows that, though he may have won the trial, in the town's eyes he lost his believability and has been reduced to trash, despite the fact that he has an old family. Going back to chapter 23, the whole town has seen him the way Atticus wishes Alexandra would. Even after the trial, she says that because he is from an "old family," (298) he is reputable, and Atticus wishes that she would see him for what he is. Harper Lee is using Alexandra as a way into how the town sees Bob, albeit in an oddly mirrored fashion. In this way, bob continues to be a problem for Maycomb, trying to regain his honor who he can, even if most townsfolk will not see it as that right way to go about it.
How do you think Atticus will react to Bob's actions in the future? What do you think Bob will do next?
In answer to Josiah's second question, I believe that Bob Ewell will attack Scout and Jem in some way. After the trial, Bob was even further lowered in the hierarchy of Maycomb. Since he has nothing to lose, he will most likely attack what Atticus cares most about, his children. Bob has "approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him" (291) If he was willing to do that and sneak into Judge Taylor's house, then he won't mind getting a little revenge on Atticus. Scout and Jem do have reason be concerned, not for Atticus, but for themselves.
ReplyDeleteThoughts? Will the conflict between Atticus and Bob have an effect on how Maycomb treats Atticus? Will someone else intervene and stop Bob? Since Tom Robinson is dead, will Bob stop attacking Atticus altogether?
THIS DOES NOT COUNT AS A COMMENT:
DeleteNice guess, Kaley, nice guess.
Josiah, I disagree with you that Bob wants people to see him as a better person. So far he has done awful things like spit in Atticus's face, try to rob Judge Taylor, and terrorize TROB's wife. This shows that he does not care what anyone thinks about him. I think he is to stupid and ignorant to realize the way he is acting is crazy. He i a grown man and should act like one instead of acting like a kid. I do not think he will stop acting like this anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteWill Bob change? Will the rest of the town get fed up with Mr. Ewell.
I disagree with both Josiah and Rory. Bob cares about how Maycomb sees him, but at the same time he is too lazy to try to be seen as an honorable human. Why else would he have been so angry at Atticus *if* he had not cared about his image? These acts in the chapter show that all Ewell is trying to do is seek attention and sympathy from Maycomb, and get back to his position as just one "the Ewells," and it's okay because they were all born poor. He lost all of his remaining integrity as a human being in that courtroom, and all Ewell is doing by being a problem to Maycomb is trying to gain sympathy.
Delete