In the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, one of the main characters, Bob Ewell, is killed by the mysterious character of Dill Harris. The question of why Dill killed Bob Ewell has been debated for decades, with many different theories being proposed. In this article, we will explore the possible motives behind Dill’s actions and examine the events leading up to Bob Ewell’s death.
Uncovering the Motive
One of the most popular theories is that Dill was motivated by a desire to protect the innocent. In the novel, Dill is a close friend of Scout and Jem Finch, the two children of Atticus Finch. Dill knows that Bob Ewell is a dangerous man, and he is worried that Bob might harm the Finch children. In order to protect them, Dill decides to take matters into his own hands and kills Bob Ewell.
Another possible motive is that Dill was motivated by a desire for revenge. In the novel, Bob Ewell is responsible for a number of wrongdoings, including attacking Scout and Jem’s friend, Tom Robinson. Dill may have seen Bob Ewell as a threat to the safety of his friends and wanted to take action against him.
Regardless of the motive, it is clear that Dill had a strong sense of justice and was willing to do whatever it took to protect the innocent.
Examining the Events Leading Up to the Killing
The events leading up to Bob Ewell’s death can be traced back to the trial of Tom Robinson. At the trial, Atticus Finch defends Tom against the false accusations of Bob Ewell. Bob is humiliated by Atticus’ defense and is determined to get revenge. He begins to threaten the Finch children, and this is when Dill decides to take matters into his own hands.
On the night of Bob Ewell’s death, Dill is seen lurking around the area where Bob was killed. This suggests that Dill was following Bob and was waiting for the right moment to take action. After Bob is killed, Dill is seen fleeing the scene, suggesting that he was the one responsible for Bob’s death.
The events leading up to Bob Ewell’s death remain a mystery, and the motive behind Dill Harris’ actions may never be fully understood. What is clear is that Dill was motivated by a strong sense of justice and was willing to do whatever it took to protect the innocent. In the end, Dill’s brave actions saved the Finch children from Bob Ewell’s threats, and for that,