How Does Bob Ewell Show Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee focuses on the challenges of racism during the 1930’s. In the novel a man named Bob Ewell accuses a black man of raping his daughter. Throughout the novel, Bob Ewell remains prejudice. Towards the middle of the novel Bob Ewell accuses a black man by the name of Tom Robinson of rape. Bob Ewell sees his daughter kissing Tom and decides to accuse him of rape. At the trial Bob states, “-I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella” (231). Mr. Ewell has “Maycomb’s usual disease”, prejudice and does not accept that his daughter would want to kiss a black man. After the trial, Mr. Ewell follows Helen Robinson, Tom’s widow to work. Helens employer Link Deas has a problem with this and tells Ewell to
stop. In response Ewell says, “I ain’t touched her, Link Deas, and ain’t about to go with no nigger” (334). Ewell is again being prejudice against those with a darker skin color than his own. In the conclusion of the novel, Bob holds a grudge against Atticus from the trial. Bob seeks out Atticus’ children and attempts to murder them one night while they are walking home. Sheriff Heck Tate says, “Low down skunk with enough liquor in him to make him brave enough to kill children” (360). Bobs intentions to kill Scout and Jem are rooted in the fact that he is not a creature of conscience and lacks compassion. Bob Ewell remains unchanged because Harper Lee wishes to illustrate prejudice. Throughout the novel she uses Ewell to show that without compassion and conscience, human beings allow themselves to become victims of prejudice. Bob remains a victim during the entire novel. First he sees his daughter kissing a black man and accuses him of rape simply because he is the other skin color. Second he follows an innocent black women and taunts her. Third he tries to murder two innocent children. Harper Lee’s use of Bob Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird shows how prejudice was and still is today a major problem.