Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is undoubtedly one of the greatest books of the twentieth century. Centered in the Great Depression era in the Deep South, two siblings -and a summertime friend- explore the state of society, what it means to be just, and what real courage is. Among the myriad of themes the author enforces, those of racism, prejudice, courage, fear, justice, hypocrisy, and perspective are best expressed. Lee illustrates the theme of (hidden) fear in To Kill A Mockingbird through the children’s behavior when in ‘adult’ situations as well as with Boo Radley, the testimonies of Tom and Mayella in the court case, and Bob Ewell’s threats on Atticus and Helen Robinson.
A good example of Lee’s use of the theme of fear is through Jem and Scout’s behavior as they go to and from the Halloween Pageant. On their way there, they are startled by Cecil Jacobs, Scout’s classmate. Although no harm was intended, Jacob’s prank served as a foreshadowing of the rest of the evening’s events. Furthermore, the night was darker, there was no moon, the wind was rushing, and shadows were cast on the Radleys’ porch. As they were
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As much as Jem and Scout think it should scare Atticus away, he argues that it would save Mayella from another beating. This is true because Bob was indeed afraid of Atticus from the moment he declared he would truthfully defend Tom during the trial. Another instance is when Link Deas, Tom’s former employer, gives Helen Robinson a job. On her way to and fro, Bob threatens her by following her all the way down the road. Helen Robinson’s fear of Bob Ewell is vital to the story as it helps depict the effects of unlawful justice on the immediate involved. It only takes a threat from Mr. Deas to get Bob away from her and the farm, further proving that Bob’s intention was to instill fear in Tom’s wife and