In this early era, the black community were still highly discriminated against. The stigma regarding people of colour was still extremely tense, especially in the south where the novel takes place. It hadn't yet been one hundred years since the slaves were freed from slavery, and the civil rights movement was still about twenty years away.
Atticus Finch, the accused rapist's lawyer, was already a respected man in the town of Maycomb. When news spread that he was defending a black man, Tom Robinson, he and his children received negative reactions from the heavily white populated town. Although Atticus was appointed by the court to defend Robinson, he truly believed that Tom was innocent which motivated his sense of true justice. This factor seemed to be one of the influences that lead some Maycomb citizens to hold a sense of respect for Atticus. Accompanied with open criticism for his actions, there was an underlying respect for for a courageous individual who truly believed in justice, regardless of the prejudice or backlash.
Throughout the process of the trial, in every situation, Atticus remained calm, wise, and unafraid to approach the situation. For example, this component heavily prevailed itself when Atticus prepared a confrontation with the mob of men who came to his office after hours looking for Tom Robinson. His integrity to stand behind his uncommon and considerably unfathomable views about the black community had earned him latent admiration from those who were unable to openly speak in support of a black man.
Atticus Finch, the accused rapist's lawyer, was already a respected man in the town of Maycomb. When news spread that he was defending a black man, Tom Robinson, he and his children received negative reactions from the heavily white populated town. Although Atticus was appointed by the court to defend Robinson, he truly believed that Tom was innocent which motivated his sense of true justice. This factor seemed to be one of the influences that lead some Maycomb citizens to hold a sense of respect for Atticus. Accompanied with open criticism for his actions, there was an underlying respect for for a courageous individual who truly believed in justice, regardless of the prejudice or backlash.
Throughout the process of the trial, in every situation, Atticus remained calm, wise, and unafraid to approach the situation. For example, this component heavily prevailed itself when Atticus prepared a confrontation with the mob of men who came to his office after hours looking for Tom Robinson. His integrity to stand behind his uncommon and considerably unfathomable views about the black community had earned him latent admiration from those who were unable to openly speak in support of a black man.