How is "greed" interpreted in to Kill A Mockingbird?

Greed in To Kill a Mockingbird is best interpreted through examining the actions of the Ewell family. In chapter 3, Atticus describes the Ewells as the "disgrace of Maycomb." The Ewells receive government assistance, and Mr. Ewell spends a good portion of the money on alcohol instead of on his many children. When Mr. Ewell catches Mayella attempting to be affectionate with Tom Robinson, he beats her. To hide this, they accuse Tom of trying to rape Mayella. This exemplifies greed. They know that an African American man accused of raping a white woman will not stand a chance.
In his closing statements at the end of Tom's trial, Atticus tells the jury that he pities Mayella, but his pity for her "does not extend so far as to her putting a man’s life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt." It is greed that allows the Ewells to falsely accuse Tom, and it is greed that allows them to expect a jury to believe them because they are white.

Greed is not depicted in the traditional sense of the word regarding the desire to attain wealth or food, but it is portrayed through Bob and Mayella's selfish motives to attain prestige and gain affirmation from the prejudiced community of Maycomb. Bob and Mayella Ewell are confident that they will win their case against Tom Robinson and will earn respect from the community members of Maycomb. They selfishly neglect the fact that they are destroying Tom's life and ruining his family in order to attain elevated status throughout the community. However, Atticus reveals the truth behind the events that took place on the evening of November 21st and illuminates Mayella's taboo sexual advances towards Tom Robinson while simultaneously portraying Bob as an alcoholic, abusive father. Later on in the novel, Bob spits in Atticus's face, and Atticus explains to his children that he "destroyed his [Bob's] last shred of credibility at that trial" (Lee, 222). Essentially, the theme of greed is interpreted through Bob and Mayella's selfish desire to gain the community's respect and admiration during the Tom Robinson trial.