Monday, October 10, 2016
Chapters 28-31: What does Heck Tate mean when he says, “Let the dead bury the dead this time” (369)? Explain what is going on here and what he means. -Alex-
In the final chapter, Atticus and Heck Tate are talking about Bob Ewell's death. Atticus believed that Jem had stabbed Bob Ewell, but Heck Tate is trying to tell him that he "fell upon his own knife". When Heck Tate says, "There's a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it's dead. Let the dead bury the dead (Lee, 369)." Heck Tate is trying to say that because of Tom Robinson's death (an innocent man), Tom should be able to also bury Bob Ewell (the person who convicted him of the crime) which is only right. When Heck Tate says that Bob Ewell "fell upon his own knife", it means that Bob had it coming for him, the fact that he killed an innocent man, of course he is going to have karma for it.
Do you agree with what I think Heck Tate meant? Do you not agree with what I think Heck Tate meant?
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Actually Mr. Tate probably said this to justify to Atticus that Jem didn't kill Bob, and even if so, Bob Ewell doesn't deserve any known death. He also protects and trusts them- knowing the Finches shouldn't be talked about for fending of dirty old Bob."All the ladies in Maycomb ... be knocking on his (Bob Ewell) door bringing angel food cakes. Either way Bob's death was coming and there's no need to confess to the whole county someone killed him.
ReplyDeleteI think what it means is even if Jem had killed him they should say it is an accident. This because Heck Tate thinks that it is not worth perserving his memory because of what he did. Also that Maycomb just needs to forget about it and that when he is buried the whole Tom Robinson case will go with him and the town will no longer be pulled apart by the case.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Bob Ewell's death was not of innocence and that no matter what actually did happen Mr. Tate will say Bob Ewell fell on his knife. Mr. Tate does this because he realizes they should let Bob Ewell's memory be forgotten and not cause more trouble because of his actions. If Mr. Tate had said that Bob Ewell had been killed that would raise more conflict and could have sent another person to jail because of his choices. Bob Ewell's effect on Maycomb ceased with Tom Robinson and is now dead forever.
ReplyDeleteI agree in the sense that Bob Ewell had it coming for him because he killed an innocent man. This is the first interpretation of the quote, "Let the dead bury the dead." (Lee 369) I believe there is still more to the quote though. He clearly wants to make sure that Jem somehow does not end up wrongfully in prison. He claims there is very clear evidence that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife, and this is what he would tell the county of Maycomb.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is a take on the saying "he dug his own grave". Mr. Ewell was a bad man, he was an abusive father, was responsible for Tom Robinson's death, and attempted to kill Scout and Jem. When Heck Tate says "'Let the dead bury the dead'" (Lee 369) I think that he's saying 'he killed Tom Robinson, but in doing that he killed himself as well'. The idea of how Ewell killed Tom killing him too is an interesting take on the circle of life.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is a take on the saying "he dug his own grave". Mr. Ewell was a bad man, he was an abusive father, was responsible for Tom Robinson's death, and attempted to kill Scout and Jem. When Heck Tate says "'Let the dead bury the dead'" (Lee 369) I think that he's saying 'he killed Tom Robinson, but in doing that he killed himself as well'. The idea of how Ewell killed Tom killing him too is an interesting take on the circle of life.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is a take on the saying "he dug his own grave". Mr. Ewell was a bad man, he was an abusive father, was responsible for Tom Robinson's death, and attempted to kill Scout and Jem. When Heck Tate says "'Let the dead bury the dead'" (Lee 369) I think that he's saying 'he killed Tom Robinson, but in doing that he killed himself as well'. The idea of how Ewell killed Tom killing him too is an interesting take on the circle of life.
ReplyDelete