Bob Ewell Racist Quotes

The Ewells are white, but very poor.  They live on the fringes of Maycomb society, not literate or employed.  Bob Ewell, the head of the family, is a drunk and an abusive father.

The first evidence that Bob Ewell is racist is that he accuses Tom Robinson of rape.  Although he uses very colorful language when testifying, some of the same racist language is used by Mr. Tate quoting Mr. Ewell.

Mr. Tate said, “It was the night of November twenty-first. I was just leaving my office to go home when B—Mr. Ewell came in, very excited he was, and said get out to his house quick, some nigger’d raped his girl.” (Ch. 17)

It was not uncommon in this time to refer to blacks with that word.  However, the way Bob Ewell used it and meant it was unquestionably racist.  He had no respect for Tom Robinson and thought nothing of accusing him of rape.  He was just another black man.

During the trial, Ewell also makes a derogatory comment about where Tom Robinson lives.

“Why, I run for Tate quick as I could. I knowed who it was, all right, lived down yonder in that nigger-nest, passed the house every day. Jedge, I’ve asked this county for fifteen years to clean out that nest down yonder, they’re dangerous to live around ‘sides devaluin’ my property—” (Ch. 17)

It is clearly racist to say that the blacks living near him should have been cleaned out, and to refer to their homes as a “nest.”  It shows that he is racist, and confirms that he considers himself above them even though he lives in a pigsty.  His children could have the advantages of whites, but he denies them those by choice.

When the jury convicts Robinson, it is not enough for Ewell.  He targets Atticus on the street, angry that he has made a fool of his family and angry at him for taking the case in the first place.

Mr. Ewell was a veteran of an obscure war; that plus Atticus’s peaceful reaction probably prompted him to inquire, “Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin’ bastard?” (Ch. 23)

Atticus is very polite to Ewell, and does not take it seriously when he is threatened.  He should have.  Bob Ewell is a racist and a coward, and he has nothing else in his life but his pride.  What little he had, Atticus took from him.

Ewell’s reaction to Tom Robinson’s death is not hard to imagine.

Miss Stephanie told Aunt Alexandra ... that Mr. Ewell said it made one down and about two more to go. Jem told me not to be afraid, Mr. Ewell was more hot gas than anything. (Ch. 25)

Ewell attacks Jem and Scout, but Boo Radley rescues them.  Ewell is killed and that's the end of it, but the Robinsons' lives will never be the same.  Tom Robinson is dead, and his family is outcast.  Bob Ewell took everything from them.