![]() I would have saved myself some inconvenience and Miss Caroline subsequent mortification, but it was beyond my ability to explain things as well as Atticus, so I said, “You’re shamin’ him, Miss Caroline. As an example, she is reprimanded when Miss Caroline wants to lend the poor but proud Walter Cunningham lunch money, and Scout jumps in to explain that it is not the Cunningham way: Scout attempts to solve a problem by first taking action, an approach that often gets her into trouble. Her tolerance of individual differences starts when she can understand another person’s point of view. Scout lacks open-mindedness as she sees issues in black and white. Scout changes when she realizes Boo Radley has saved Jem’s and her life, and he is a man who is a friend, not a man to fear. The problem with that message? The same principle could be used to justify the lynch mob's attempt to enact vigilante justice on Tom.8 of the 12 essential questions Change Main Character Resolve Maybe one message of Heck Tate's character, and Link Deas's as well, is that until that ideal becomes more of a reality, people should do what they can to bring fairness at least a little bit closer, even when the law's not on their side. He acts on moral grounds, but in doing so he goes against Atticus's ideal of equality under the law. Depending on whether or not we agree with his decision, Tate is either doing the right thing or weakening the rule of law (or both). Tate's decision may go against the letter of the law, but it follows a different, higher (to him) law. Finch, but I'm still sheriff of Maycomb County and Bob Ewell fell on his knife. If it was any other man, it'd be different. It's a sin and I'm not about to have it on my head. Finch, taking the one man who's done you and this town a great service an' draggin' him with his shy ways into the limelight-to me, that's a sin. Know what'd happen then? All the ladies in Maycomb includin' my wife'd be knocking on his door bringing angel food cakes. "I never heard tell that it's against the law for a citizen to do his utmost to prevent a crime from being committed, which is exactly what he did, but maybe you'll say it's my duty to tell the town all about it and not hush it up. And when Tom is held in the Maycomb jail the night before the trial, Tate not only warns Atticus in advance that even as sheriff he might not be able to protect Tom, he also gets tricked into going off on a wild goose chase, leaving Atticus to face down the lynch mob without official backup.īut in the end, Tate faces off against Atticus, and wins:.When Ewell accuses Tom Robinson of raping Mayella, Tate has to arrest him despite the lack of evidence.When the mad dog turns up on Scout's street, Tate hands the gun to Atticus rather than risking sending a stray bullet into the Radley house with his own shot (see " Mad Dog" in "Symbols, Imagery, Allegory" for more on this scene).Through most of the book, however, he seems about as powerful as Ranger Smith faced with Yogi Bear and a missing picnic basket. (Click the character infographic to download.)Īs sheriff of Maycomb County, Heck Tate's official role is maintaining law and order.
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