Merriam-Webster defines poetic justice as a result or occurrence that seems proper because someone who has done bad things to other people is being harmed or punished. Bob Ewell’s death in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is a perfect example of poetic justice. If this statement was made to Atticus, Calpurnia, or Scout, they would all agree with it. Bob Ewell was a nasty man, who was the only character in To Kill A Mockingbird who even remotely deserved to die.
Bob, who arguably holds the most blame for Tom Robinson’s death, drunkenly decides to kill Scout and Jem; this was to get back at Atticus for exposing his lies for what they were in the trial. Had he succeeded, he would have been responsible for three wrongful deaths, two of which were innocent children who did absolutely nothing but have a father who cross examined Bob. Bob is a borderline psychopath who was murdered in his attempt to murder two children; if that isn’t poetic justice then I don’t think there is such a thing.
If Calpurnia were asked, “Was Bob Ewell’s death an example of poetic justice?” she would respond with a resounding yes. Calpurnia is one of the most kind and loving characters in this book, but she would be hard pressed to love Bob Ewell, especially after he killed Tom through the court system and tried to kill Scout and Jem. Calpurnia is
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If he hadn’t been stabbed, she and Jem would have died. This would have been tragic poetic injustice. Instead, Bob was punished for what he did, and what he intended to do in a fitting manner. Scout is still a child; therefore, she probably believes no one deserves to die. However, if she believed anyone deserved to die it would have been Bob. Heck Tate even says, “‘This thing [costume] probably saved her life.’” meaning that Bob would have killed her if it weren’t for her ridiculous ham costume. Scout would definitely have agreed that Bob Ewell got what he