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Harper Lee creating pathos for Mayella Ewell in To Kill A Mockingbird
Mayella Ewell is a complex character with many sides to her personality. She is portrayed as a helpless, pathetic woman, but not as evil and is thus shown sympathy due to the trials of her life. In Harper Lee’s, To Kill A Mockingbird, pathos and sympathy are created for Mayella Ewell by emphasizing what is said at the trial; her poor treatment from her father, and her actions towards Tom Robinson.
To begin, Mayella must be broken down into traits so that her character can be understood in the novella, To Kill A Mockingbird. Mayella Ewell is a pathetic and pitiful character but must be shown some recognition due to her maltreatments by her father. Her father, Bob Ewell, is an old, grumpy, selfish man who only thinks of himself. He is shown as the worst man in the town of Maycomb. Mayella’s father is a sick old man that does not care for his daughter, and therefore does not help with her with chores around the house. Tom Robinson said at the trial: “Well, I says it looked like they never help her none ⎯” Bob shows no remorse for Mayella and spends no time with her. The seven children that live with them also are followers of Bob Ewell. Life with seven children and a grumpy father is truly very difficult; Mayella’s life is turned inside out and so her aspirations and dreams are not given the chance to express themselves to the reader.
