Sheriff Heck Tate is working to protect Boo Radley, who is the real murderer of Bob Ewell, after Bob attacks Scout and Jem as retaliation for Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson. Tate and Atticus's conversation after the event is heated, as Atticus initially thinks that Jem killed Ewell. Atticus insists that Jem take responsibility for his actions and go through the court system, but Tate insists again and again that Ewell "fell on his knife." As their argument continues, it becomes clear that Tate knows that Boo Radley killed Ewell and is covering that fact up to honor Boo's reclusive nature.
As for the evidence hiding, Tate shows Atticus a switchblade that he claims he "took off a drunk man" earlier that evening. Since Ewell is found stabbed by a kitchen knife, Tate wants everyone to assume that that was the knife he was using to attack Jem and Scout. More likely, Ewell came after them with the switchblade and then Boo Radley came out with a kitchen knife to stop him.
No comments:
Post a Comment