QQuestionEnglish
QuestionEnglish
What does Heck Tate mean when he says, “Let the dead bury the dead”?
Who is he covering up the truth for, and why?
6 months agoReport content
Answer
Full Solution Locked
Sign in to view the complete step-by-step solution and unlock all study resources.
Step 1To analyze Heck Tate's quote "Let the dead bury the dead" from To Kill a Mockingbird, I'll break down the context and meaning:
Step 2: Context of the Quote
Heck Tate is referring to the death of Bob Ewell, who was killed while attacking Jem and Scout. The quote is a deliberate attempt to protect Boo Radley from legal consequences for killing Bob Ewell in self-defense.
Final Answer
Heck Tate is protecting Boo Radley because: - Boo is a shy, vulnerable person who has already suffered social isolation - Bringing him to trial would destroy his privacy and peace - Boo acted to save the children's lives, so he should be considered a hero, not a criminal Final Interpretation: Heck Tate is covering up the truth to protect Boo Radley, believing that exposing him to public scrutiny would be more harmful than serving strict legal justice. He chooses compassion and protection over rigid legal procedure.
Need Help with Homework?
Stuck on a difficult problem? We've got you covered:
- Post your question or upload an image
- Get instant step-by-step solutions
- Learn from our AI and community of students