Atticus wants Scout to understand Maycomb bends the law for the Ewells
because the Ewells are breaking the law
. The Ewells live outside the law. They are not a regular part of society. The laws they break do not really hurt anyone outside their family.
What are the 2 ways the law is bent for the Ewells?
The rules are somewhat bent for the Ewell family.
They are very poor, and the only government checks that Bob Ewell gets he spends on alcohol
. So, he is allowed (even though it is illegal) to hunt and trap out of season.
Why does Maycomb officials bend the rules for the Ewells?
The Maycomb officials bend the rules for the Ewells
because the dad doesn’t care if his children go to school and the truant lady cannot enforce the law
. Scout thinks her school’s new style of education did not provide a good education.
What does Maycomb think about the Ewells?
Every town the size of Maycomb had families like the Ewells. No economic fluctuations changed their status—people like the Ewells
lived as guests of the county in prosperity as well as in the depths of a depression
.
What is the reputation of the Ewells in Maycomb County?
The Ewells have
a reputation for coming to school on the first day to get their names on the record and then not coming any more that school year
. The Ewells are a family that has lived in poverty for many generations in Maycomb, and prefers to stay that way.
Is it okay to bend the law?
bend the law
To do something that does not technically break the law but
could be considered inappropriate or unfair
. A: “Come on, a little bit of speeding is just bending the law.” B: “Yeah, I think a police officer would disagree with that.” They can’t arrest me for just bending the law!
What did Atticus mean by it’s better to bend the law a little page 40?
When Scout didn’t want to go to school, Atticus said, on page 40, “Sometimes it’s better to bend the law
a little in special cases
. In your case, the law remains rigid. … In this case, he told Scout she must continue going to school, and just because she had one bad day doesn’t mean she can drop out.
What is the primary difference between the Cunninghams and the Ewells?
Cunninghams accept things from others only when they have earned them or are sure to return whereas
Ewells are shown to buy alcohol
after stealing or borrowing money. Cunninghams are proud and honest, whereas Ewells are liars.
What compromise does Atticus make with Scout at the end of Chapter 3?
Atticus proposes a compromise:
Scout will stay in school, but they will continue to read at night just they always have.
Does Atticus follow the law?
Atticus says that
it’s okay to bend the law
in special cases to Scout. He uses Bob Ewell and his family as an example because they don’t have to go to school, and can hunt out of season because they are poor. … Some can argue that it’s a moral obligation to follow the law.
Why are the Ewells poor?
Ewell is an
alcoholic who wastes what little money the family has on liquor
. The town allows him to hunt out of season because otherwise the children would go hungry. He abuses his children physically, and we know based on what Tom said in his testimony that he abuses Mayella (and perhaps others) sexually as well.
Who does Atticus say killed Ewell?
Atticus does believe that
Jem
killed Bob Ewell. He tells Sheriff Tate that Scout said that Jem got up and yanked Ewell off her, and “he [Jem] probably took Ewell’s knife somehow in the dark. . . .” When the sheriff cuts Atticus off and says, “Jem never stabbed Bob Ewell,” Atticus thanks him but adds, “Heck . . .
Who does Mayella say she is afraid of?
When Mayella takes the stand in the Tom Robinson case, she is afraid of
Atticus
. She even stops answering his questions, and when the judge asks her why, she points to Atticus and says, “because of him.” Mayella thinks Atticus is going to really go after her, and she is scared he will learn the truth.
Do the Ewells have a bad reputation?
Ewell is a drunkard and an abuser who is despised throughout the community, and very likely by his own family. But in accusing Tom Robinson, he sees what he believes is a brass ring. … Instead of improving his life, Ewell
cements his family’s horrible reputation once
and for all.
Why is it significant that Mr Ewell is left handed?
The reasoning behind Atticus’ request is to show the jury that Bob Ewell is left-handed. The fact that Bob is left-handed is significant
because it suggests that he may be responsible for the injuries inflicted upon Mayella’s face.
Is Bob Ewell mayella’s dad?
Mayella is the
eldest daughter of Bob Ewell
, and thus ends up having to take care of her siblings because her father is a strong alcoholic.
