Question

Atticus and heck Tate have a heated argument as Atticus assumes heck is ready to cover up bobs killing to protect Jen who is heck really trying to protect and why does he try so hard to protect that person

Answer 1

In "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, the heated argument between Atticus Finch and Heck Tate revolves around the death of Bob Ewell and the subsequent decision about how to handle the situation. Atticus believes that Heck is trying to cover up the circumstances of Bob's death in order to protect Boo Radley, who ultimately intervened to save Scout and Jem from Bob’s attack.

Heck Tate’s motivations center not only on protecting Boo but also on protecting the children. Boo is a reclusive figure who has been misunderstood and subjected to stigma throughout the novel. Heck Tate understands that the truth about Boo's involvement could lead to unwanted attention and potential harm for him, especially since he is a private individual who has only acted heroically in this situation.

Heck’s insistence on framing Bob's death as an accident stems from his desire to shield Boo from a society that may fail to understand the complexity of the situation. By covering it up, Heck aims to preserve Boo’s anonymity and protect him from the scrutiny and potential fallout of his actions, which, while justified, could place Boo back into the harsh light of public judgment.

Ultimately, Heck's decision reflects a larger theme in the novel regarding the protection of innocence and the moral complexities that come with truth and justice. In this case, protecting Boo means upholding the idea that sometimes the law should take a back seat to compassion and understanding for those who are vulnerable.