Dear Readers,
Blog Prompt: Did the ending of the novel surprise you? If you were the author, would you have ended the story differently? Explain.
I was surprised by the ending but am very satisfied with the ending of the novel.
Why Surprised?
Actually, I thought that Atticus and Judge Taylor were the only ones who believed in the serving of justice. However, it never did cross my mind that Sheriff Tate would also want to see justice being served.
Why Satisfied?
During the trial, Atticus had pointed out all the evidence which supported Tom Robinson's innocence; however, he was still found guilty of a crime which he did not commit at all. All this took place in the court of law which was supposed to punish the guilty and acquit the innocent.
Although Sheriff Tate found out that Arthur "Boo" Radley was the one who murdered Bob Ewell, he decided not to arrest him. Boo had killed to protect the children. The sheriff was duly aware that should Boo be put on trial, he would suffer the same fate as Tom Robinson - another innocent death. Sheriff Tate and Atticus would be indirectly responsible for his death. The sheriff made the best decision of dismissing Bob's death as an accident, with that he hoped that he would be able to compensate to Boo who had been ostracised for numerable years.
So "YES", I am extremely happy with the ending of the novel and would love to keep it just the way it is! :P
Best Regards,
Nathan :)
Dear Nathan,
ReplyDeleteI would like to pose a question to you, why did you think that Sheriff Tate would not want justice to be served? I am interested because I do not recall instances where Sheriff Tate displayed actions which implied that he did not truly uphold justice. Another thing I am interested in is what made you think Arthur Radley killed Bob Ewell. The ending was slightly confusing, in my opinion, although it most probably purposefully made confusing so that the story and thus, its message, would stay with the reader for a longer period of time.
I agree that the ending was rather satisfactory, if slightly upsetting. Had Tom Robinson not been killed, the message that Harper Lee is trying to spread about prejudice may not have gone home into the reader.
Regards,
Chong Kai En (2i106)
Dear Kai En,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! Regarding your first question, I feel that it is largely because Sheriff Heck Tate felt that "what comes from the heart should go to the heart".
Bob Ewell caused a loss of a life - Tom Robinson, and so he should rightfully pay with his own life!
Therefore, this explains why Arthur Radley wanted to kill Bob Ewell - not only to protect the children, but also to serve justice.
Yes, and I also agree with your opinion of its confusion - for Harper Lee wanted it to be so.
Best Regards,
Nathan =D