How Does Burris Ewell Show A Strong Family Bond In To Kill A Mockingbird

Family is what one grows up with, where morals and traditions come from, how does abuse or affection affect the child’s future? In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Scout and her older brother live through many life lessons and learned to see the world differently. Family bonds are shown comparing the Ewell’s, Cunningham’s and Finches different life styles. Families have tradition and it may affect how they and the world view each other. Family bonds are affected by how the parents and children alike treat each other; this affects them in the world outside their home.

The Ewell’s do not show a strong family bond due to the children’s destructive father. When they are at school Burris Ewell’s behavior is explained and it is show to be no importance to his

One of the students explains to Miss Caroline that an Ewell’s “‘Here the first day. You’re supposed to mark ‘em absent or the rest of the year…’ ‘But what about their parents?’ asked Miss Caroline, in genuine concern. ‘Ain’t got no mother,’ was the answer, ‘and their paw’s right contentious’” (27). This shows how Mr. Ewell has no care whatsoever of what becomes of his children’s future, he is setting them on the path for failure. Family bonds impact them in a bad way, Mr. Ewell does not care for the children or have them get an education for a better life. The children do not interact with the world in the same way others do because their father changed how they viewed others. When Tom Robinson, who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, testified of the events, he explained that she had forced him to stay and that “she says she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a nigger. She says what her papa do to her don't count” (194). The Ewell’s family bond is broken due to how the father interacts with his eldest daughter. This is not good for a family, it is destructive to the family and that is