In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a quiet town in the 1930s called Maycomb faces social and racial tension among themselves. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and father to Scout and Jem, has decided to represent a black man named Tom Robinson. Tom is on trial accused of raping a 19-year-old girl named Mayella Ewell. Atticus stands up for what he believes in by representing Tom Robinson in the trial, even though he faces scrutiny and threats because of his decision. When Atticus first chooses to make his decision to represent Tom Robinson, he says it is because it is the right thing to do. Now during this time period, any time a black man was on trial with a white jury, he would immediately lose. The townsfolk advises Atticus to ignore the case and refuse, yet he stood firm. He would represent Tom, because he felt he could convince at least one juror of his innocence. By taking this case, Atticus faced certain wrath and animosity from the town. Not only the community, but by his own family too. Atticus throughout the book tries to set a good example for his children, and this was a way of showing Jem and Scout the right way of doing thing. However, he cannot completely shield them, as they are ridiculed for their …show more content…
On his way out of the courtroom, they stand and salute him from the balcony, and the following day they send him food as thank-you gifts. Though the white population is less than impressed with his behavior, the other half of the town understands what he put at risk here. He could have sacrificed his reputation, good name, and the lives of his entire family. He knew very well of these possibly outcomes, but he bit the bullet and did what he knew was right. In the end, it did not work out as he would have hoped. However, he showed no remorse. He had done his job, and was only disappointed in the prejudice and racism of the