In Chapter 28 of To Kill a Mockingbird, there is a significant turn of events that leads to the death of Bob Ewell. This chapter is crucial as it encapsulates the novel’s themes of justice and moral integrity.
Bob Ewell, who has been a menacing figure throughout the story, tries to attack Jem and Scout Finch as they are returning home from the Halloween pageant. In the struggle, Boo Radley comes to their rescue. In defending the children, Boo fatally injures Bob Ewell. This incident highlights the culmination of the long-standing tension and prejudice that has been woven throughout the narrative and underscores the importance of standing up against evil in one’s community.
The death of Bob Ewell can also be seen as a form of poetic justice, as his vile actions towards Tom Robinson and his attempts to instill fear in the Finch family come back to haunt him. It raises questions about morality, protection, and the complexities of human nature, themes that Harper Lee masterfully explores in her novel.