Final answer:
In Harper Lee's novel, Bob Ewell baselessly blames Atticus Finch for losing his job with the Works Progress Administration, reflecting the era's social tensions and personal prejudice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bob Ewell blames Atticus Finch for his job loss with the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA, a cornerstone of the New Deal, aimed to provide jobs to those who would otherwise be unemployed. Despite the overall success of the program, it faced criticism for issues such as lower wages and discriminatory hiring practices. Although initially, minority groups like African Americans faced overt discrimination, with time, reforms were made, and the opportunities for them within the federal job programs improved significantly.
Bob Ewell, a character from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, reflects the prejudices of the time by irrationally placing the blame for his unemployment onto Atticus, who had nothing to do with it. His accusation is rooted in his bitterness and personal vendetta rather than any factual basis. This reflects the social tensions and resistance to change during the era of the New Deal, and the personal strife of individuals who found scapegoats for their own failures.