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Who are the Ewells and why do they get special privileges?

In Maycomb, Bob Ewell and his family are considered "white trash," the lowest stratum of white society in the town. Since there is little that motivates Bob Ewell, there is not much that Maycomb authorities can do about his misconduct that would be effective without harming the children at the same time.


Since the Ewell family has no lower stratum of society to which the members can drop among the citizenry of Maycomb, it is...

In Maycomb, Bob Ewell and his family are considered "white trash," the lowest stratum of white society in the town. Since there is little that motivates Bob Ewell, there is not much that Maycomb authorities can do about his misconduct that would be effective without harming the children at the same time.


Since the Ewell family has no lower stratum of society to which the members can drop among the citizenry of Maycomb, it is impossible to shame them. Also, since they have neither shame nor money, legal measures against them are virtually ineffective. For instance, since there is no parental insistence on an education, Burris and his siblings feel no need to attend school. "I done done my time for this year" (Ch.3), announces the unashamed Burris to Miss Caroline on the first day.

It would not profit the city to pursue the matter of Burris's truancy since the Ewells have no money with which to pay any fines. Placing Bob Ewell in jail would also accomplish little since he does not work, and he would lose nothing by being incarcerated for a while and being fed by the county. Because he hunts and provides some food for the children, the town authorities allow him to break the law and stay out of jail.

That Bob Ewell is incorrigible is exemplified in the fact that he is "fired from the WPA for laziness" (Ch. 27). Since little can be done with such a man as Bob Ewell, he is sometimes tolerated by disgruntled authorities.  

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