Bob Ewell is the most despicable and depraved individual in Maycomb County. He is an alcoholic who sexually and physically assaults his daughter, lies in court, and attempts to murder Jem and Scout.
At the beginning of the novel, Scout comes home from her first day of school and tells Atticus that she doesn't want to go to back. She mentions that Burris Ewell doesn't have to go to school, and Atticus explains Burris' unique situation. He tells Scout about the Ewell family and says that the Ewells were permitted special privileges. Atticus says,"Another thing, Mr. Bob Ewell, Burris's father, was permitted to hunt and trap out of season" (Lee 20). Scout asks why Bob is given that privilege, and Atticus says,"...when a man spends his relief checks on green whiskey his children have a way of crying from hunger pains" (Lee 20).
In Chapter 12, Scout asks Cal what Tom Robinson did, and Cal says, "Old Mr. Bob Ewell accused him of rapin' his girl an' had him arrested an' put in jail---" (Lee 76). Bob and his daughter end up fabricating a story, and Tom Robinson is wrongly convicted of a crime he did not commit. Atticus ruins Bob's reputation by exposing the truth and Bob attempts to avenge him. Bob spits in Atticus' face and Atticus casually tells his children, "I wish Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco" (Lee 134).
In Chapter 27, Scout mentions several strange things that happened in the community concerning Bob Ewell and begins by mentioning how he lost his job. She says, "...he was the only man I ever heard of who was fired from the WPA for laziness" (Lee 153). Scout's comment portrays Bob as an extremely lazy individual which only adds to the list of his negative qualities.
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