As Oprah Winfrey explicitly states, real integrity is when one does the right thing without expecting or wanting attention from others, they have real integrity, In To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper lee, Atticus exemplifies an individual with this real integrity. Atticus’s methods of handling situations and his actions warrants him the title of a gentleman. The exact opposite of a gentleman is Bob Ewell, who is known for his violent and selfish acts. His negative actions are prevelaent throughout many pans of the book As Oprah states, doing the right thing portrays that the person has real integrity, which Bob Ewell and the Maycomb community lackst Thus, Atticus and Bob Ewell from To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper lee contrast each other in the effects of their acts towards society and family. Throughout the progression of the book, Atticus Finch displays an immense amount of kindness to his family and his community.
Unlike Atticus, Bob Ewell is a careless and violent individual with no regard for others. Atticus’s peaceful personality is highlighted Dring Atticus’s visit to the town, he has an encounter with Bob Ewell, he spits in Atticus’s face and outrageously disrespects him verbally, When Jem and Scout, Atticus’s children inquire on this event, they ask why he does not retaliate, he explains,“ See, if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute I destroyed his last shred of creditiability at that trial.“ So if spitting on my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating. That‘s something 1’“ gladly take“ (Lee 218). Clearly, Atticus is a non-violent and peaceful individual; he guides his children that violence is not always the response.
The conflict between Bob and Atticus represents a character vs character conflict as they are both fighting for their objectives as Bob desires to overcome and beat Atticus. Ultimately, Atticus overcomes him and Bob’s outrage leads to his demise. Bob’s disregard and his impudence towards his family, is highlighted when he selfishly uses his family’s relief money to fulfill his alcohol addiction, Bob Ewell’s awful actions towards his family are exposed during Mayella Ewell‘s testimonyr She reveals how hard her life is by providing an daily habit of Bob‘s careless acts, “Drank it up anyway–sometimes went off in the swamp for days and came home sick” (Lee 244). It is unquestionably evident that Bob Ewell has developed himself as a careless and selfish individual.
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He has little to no regard for the safety and welfare of his own children. Which creates an aunosphere of despair for his family and the audience. On top of his drinking addiction, it can be implied that he beats his children when he is drunk. His inhumane acts have established him as the main antagonist in the play. With Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell both being father figures, Atticus is undoubtedly the superior father figure when caring and giving advice to his Children. To illustrate, Atticus always tells his kids to step into other people’s perspective before coming to a conclusion Whereas. Bob beats his children for doing the wrong thing. With that being said, Bob Ewell is unquestionably a horrible, self- centered, cruel and unforgiving individual. Over the course of the book, the audience grasps knowledge on the social conditions during the time of the book.
As the book takes place in the 1930’s, the Jim Crow Laws and segregation were in large effect; many white individuals followed the stereotype of“ white supremacy,” and Bob Ewell is one of those individuals. Bob Ewell has a strong belief in white supremacy and his suppon for this movement is explicitized when he utilizes racial slurs to label and oppress a black individual during his testimony.“ I knowed who it was, all right, lived down yonder in that nigger-nest, passed the house every day. Jedge, I’ve asked this county for fifteen years to clean out that nest down yonder. they’re dangerous to live around ‘sides devaluin’ my property”. Bob Ewell‘s constant use of racial slurs and his continuous disrespect towards coloured individuals strengthens his racist and white supremacy movement. On top of this, he wants all coloured individuals living near him to be cleared out.
He uses this diction to describe the coloured community as a “nest” to show that they are posing a threat towards him as they are all clumped together in a small space Bob Ewell’s punctuationT of these words makes it unquestionably evident that he has a strong hatred towards black individuals. and his belief that he is above them, contributing to the theme of prejudice as Bob Ewell is attempting alienate coloured individuals for his benefit and to strengthen the white superiority movement during the time. Atticus’s strong morals and virtues are spread throughout the story. However, it is particularized when he decides to defy social norms and defend a black man in front of a prejudiced jury and displays integrity despite the oppression that he would face for it. To exemplify, Atticus provides his children with an answer as to why he has to help Tom Robinson, “ Torn Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man‘s conscience–Scout, I couldn‘t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man”.
Atticus believes that it is his moral duty to defend him It characterizes Atticus as a calm and collected character, while also displaying a character who goes beyond social norms to take a stand Even when people in the community threaten Atticus for defending a black pelson. he is able to keep calm in adverse situations and does not react with anger. Atticus fighting against society creates a character vs, society conflict as Atticus is fighting to have an attempt at change and reveals his secret rebellious side. Moreover, Atticus faces a character vs. conscience conflict for his decision as seen in Atticus‘s quote by him explaining.” Something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience,” showing that he is not just defending Tom because he is told to, but it is his ethical responsibility, representing Atticus as a courageous individual.
In essence. Atticus is the epitome of a gentleman that is always attempting to make the best decisions that will influence his children and the society positively. In this case, he is trying to prove that black people are just like white people, and everyone should live in harmony. While Atticus attempts to do that, Bob Ewell continues to tarnish his credibility throughout the community while also trying to manifest that white people are better than black, as well as his belief that it should stay that way. Bob Ewell Further contrasts Atticus Finch as atticus defies social norms which proves him to be a rebellious and courageous individual. In Harper Lee‘s To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus and Bob Ewell are both utilized to portray two different mindsets and the actions associated with these mindsets.
With Atticus Finch being a morally upright and an individual that strives for equality, shows how well respected he his despite him defending a black man. Bob Ewell’s narrow mindset and marginalization of black people has lead to the diminishing of his last bit of creditiabilityi As Amit Ray states, “Mind is a flexible mirror, adjust it, to see a better world,“ if one steps into another person’s shoes and changings their mindset, than one can only see the life changing possibilities brought by changing ones mindset.
