To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:


keith1234
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In To Kill a Mockingbird, what happened to Atticus when Bob Ewell spat in his face?

Rate question:

Posted by keith1234 on Wednesday April 1, 2009 at 3:57 PM and tagged with atticus, bob ewell, spitting incident, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    After Tom Robinson's trial and conviction, Bob Ewell was enraged at Atticus because both he and Mayella had been so vigorously cross examined by Atticus in his defense of Tom. When Ewell and his daughter were on the witness stand, Atticus through his questioning showed them both to be liars. Ewell was furious because he had been humiliated by the truth, and he directed all his fury at Atticus. 

    When Ewell found Atticus on the corner by the post office, Ewell spat in his face, tried to start a fight, and threatened to kill him. According to witnesses, he told Atticus he would "get him," regardless of how long it took. Atticus, however, ignored Ewell's taunts and refused to fight with him.

    However, Bob Ewell did not follow through on his threats by attacking Atticus. Instead, being the coward he was, he tried to get even with Atticus by attempting to kill his children.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/chapter-22-summary-anal...
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/chapter-23-summary-anal...
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/character-analysis

    Rate answer:

    Posted by mshurn on Wednesday April 1, 2009 at 8:35 PM