Tom Robinson versus Bob Ewell

There is the major conflict between Tom and Bob Ewell, and this represents the person versus person conflict. The African American, Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. The trial is long, and it increases the segregation in the society. Atticus is white and he chooses to defend Tom Robinson. This has a significant impact on the relationship that Atticus has with some of the people in the community.

            The theme of racism is dominant in this aspect of the plot because most of the townspeople are against Tom. Atticus finds that it becomes harder to prove Tom’s innocence in a society that has already found him guilty even before the trial. This conflict impacts every character in the novel. The black community faces the unending control of the whites over the blacks. The jury accepts the accusations against the black man because the accuser is white. Her lies become the framework for Tom’s conviction.

            Miss Gates is an example of one who is swayed by the case. She speaks about the democracy and equality during Hitler’s control in Germany and the persecution of the Jews. Scout questions Miss Gates’s arguments on equality when she overhears Miss Gates telling another woman that it was about time someone taught the blacks in Maycomb a lesson as she leaves the courthouse at the end of the trial.  

            The conflict between Bob and Tom also impacts Scout, Jem, and Dill because they realize that the jury does not accept the facts of the case. Instead, the jury allows racism to determine the fate of Tom. The children were exposed to the racism and were forced to understand such cruelty at an early age. Atticus was impacted by the conflict as his reputation faced scrutiny and he was almost destroyed. He also lost many friends due the trial, but he also gained new friends within the black community.

Bob Ewell vs. Jem and Scout

The conflict in the story extends to the attack on Jem and Scout. Bob Ewell attacks the children, and this pulls Boo out of the house for the first time in years. As Jem and Scout walk home from the pageant, Bob Ewell attacks the children from behind. Scout gets knocked to the ground and becomes stuck inside the costume that she was wearing. She hears as Bob breaks Jem’s arm and he hits the ground unconscious. Boo Radley kills Bob Ewell as a result and carries the children to their home.

 Atticus vs. Himself

Atticus versus himself is another conflict in the novel. Judge Taylor asks Atticus to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus struggles internally as to whether he wants to defend Tom. He understands that Tom’s trial is only a farce as there is no chance of victory. At the same time, Atticus is aware that of he refuses the case, this would go against his personal value system. He also knows that he would never be able to tell his children what to do again. Atticus ignores the negative comments from the society and defends Tom to the best of his ability.

Specific examples of conflict in the novel:

Person versus Person

Children versus Boo

Scout versus Miss Caroline

Scout and Atticus versus Aunt Alexandra

Scout versus Cousin Francis

Atticus versus Bob Ewell

Jem versus Mrs. Dubose

Tom Robinson versus Bob and Mayella Ewell

Person Versus self

Scout needing to control self

Mrs. Dubose who battles her morphine addiction

Jem matures and understands the cruelties of life

Atticus protecting the children when he takes the case of Tom Robinson

Dill tells the truth of the situation with his family

Person versus nature

Killing mockingbirds

The first snow and Miss Maudie’s house burning

Tim Johnson (rabid dog)

Person versus society

Maycomb versus the prejudice and justice that involves Tom Robinson

Boo versus the townspeople and the rumors in the community

Scout versus the formal education system

White versus Black

Boo versus the townspeople

Dolphus versus Maycomb

Atticus versus the “Old Sarum” Gang