Heck Tate is the sheriff of Maycomb County in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. He plays a crucial role in the story, especially during the trial of Tom Robinson and the events surrounding Boo Radley.
As the sheriff, Heck embodies the law and order of Maycomb, but he also displays a sense of moral integrity. His decision to protect Boo Radley at the end of the book shows his understanding of justice and the complexities of human behavior. Rather than bringing Boo into the limelight and putting him on trial for Bob Ewell’s death, Heck chooses to keep Boo’s actions private, recognizing that Boo acted out of protection for the children.
Heck Tate’s character highlights the theme of morality versus legality throughout the novel. His actions demonstrate that sometimes doing what is legally right may not necessarily align with what is morally right, which is a recurring idea in the story. Overall, Heck Tate serves as a reflection of the struggles between justice and morality in a deeply flawed society.