Bob Ewell: The Deplorable Character of to Kill a Mockingbird

In Harper Lee's renowned novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Bob Ewell stands out as a despicable and repugnant character. Through his physical description, Lee portrays Ewell as a repulsive and unsavory individual who embodies the worst qualities of Maycomb's society. This essay aims to explore Bob Ewell's physical appearance as depicted in the text and how it contributes to his overall characterization. By analyzing the implications of his appearance, we can gain a deeper understanding of Ewell's role as a symbol of prejudice, ignorance, and malevolence in the novel.

Bob Ewell's physical description is mentioned a few times in the text, providing readers with a vivid image of his repulsive appearance. Lee describes Ewell as a "little bantam cock of a man" with a "sickly white face" and "colorless eyes." His face is further described as being "so pale that it seemed to have a streak of white above each cheekbone," while his "spit-colored" hair and "streaked and shiny" beard add to his unattractive appearance (Lee 30). Ewell's physical attributes, or lack thereof, serve as visual cues that mirror his inner character.

Firstly, Ewell's sickly white face and colorless eyes serve as symbols of his moral and intellectual bankruptcy. The lack of color in his face reflects his lack of empathy and compassion, as seen in his treatment of others, particularly Tom Robinson. Ewell's eyes, devoid of any warmth or humanity, suggest a lack of understanding and enlightenment. This physical description emphasizes Ewell's ignorance and reinforces his role as a symbol of prejudice and intolerance.

Furthermore, Ewell's unkempt appearance, with his spit-colored hair and streaked beard, signifies his disregard for personal hygiene and societal norms. This description highlights his low social status and his rejection of the values upheld by the rest of Maycomb's community. By neglecting his personal appearance, Ewell establishes himself as an outcast, reinforcing his position as an antagonist in the novel.

Ewell's physical description also aligns with his role as a malevolent character. His "bantam cock" stature implies a confrontational and aggressive nature. This description, along with his unkempt appearance, creates an intimidating presence that adds to the atmosphere of fear and tension in Maycomb. Ewell's physicality serves as a reflection of his abusive behavior towards his daughter, Mayella, and his vengeful actions towards Tom Robinson and Atticus Finch.

Moreover, Lee's emphasis on Ewell's physical appearance serves to contrast him with other characters in the novel. Atticus Finch, for example, is described as having a "long, narrow face" with "graying hair" that is "thin enough to see his scalp" (Lee 6). This juxtaposition highlights the stark contrast between Ewell's repulsive appearance and Atticus' dignified and respectable demeanor. Through this comparison, Lee emphasizes the stark divide between those who uphold justice and morality, like Atticus, and those who perpetuate prejudice and hatred, like Ewell.

In conclusion, Bob Ewell's physical description in To Kill a Mockingbird aligns with his role as a despicable character. Through his sickly white face, colorless eyes, unkempt appearance, and aggressive stature, Ewell represents the worst qualities of Maycomb's society. Lee's vivid portrayal of Ewell's physical attributes contributes to his characterization as a symbol of prejudice, ignorance, and malevolence. By analyzing the implications of his appearance, we gain a deeper understanding of the themes and messages conveyed in the novel. Ewell serves as a reminder of the dangers of prejudice and the importance of empathy and understanding in fostering a just and inclusive society.

References

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2002.