Atticus knows Tom Robinson is coming back to the Maycomb jail because he received a tip from Heck Tate, the sheriff, that a mob might try to harm Tom. Therefore, Atticus decides to sit by Tom in an attempt to protect him.
He was sitting outside of the county jail to prevent a lynch mob from attacking Tom Robinson.
The Children finds Atticus in front of the maycomb jail.
Tom is in the Maycomb County Jail during the time that Atticus faces the mob downtown.
In chapter 15, the children find Atticus outside the Maycomb jail. He is sitting in front of the jailhouse door reading a book, keeping watch over Tom Robinson to protect him from a possible lynch mob.
In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus Finch guards Tom Robinson at the Maycomb jail, trying to protect him from a potential lynching by a mob. Scout, Jem, and Dill arrive to find Atticus alone facing the mob. Scout's innocent presence, along with her conversation with Walter Cunningham Sr., ultimately shames the mob into dispersing and abandoning their plan.
The children hear Heck Tate asking Atticus if the mob is gone. Heck Tate is the Maycomb sheriff who tries to maintain order during the tense situation outside the jail where Atticus is protecting Tom Robinson.
The town's newspaper is the Maycomb Tribune. The newspaper is ran by Mr. Underwood, who is ready to defend Atticus Finch when the mob comes to the jail after Tom Robinson.
There is tension, unrest, and stress throughout the full story. Much of it come from the fact that Atticus is defending a black man that has been accused of raping a white woman. Some events that show the tension are when Atticus and Jem seem to distance themselves from Scout a big because of the stress. Also, Aunt Alexandra showing up is another sign. And the gossip from people like Miss Stephanie. These are all signs of tension and unrest.
he never went to jail
A band of White men came to deliver their own form of "justice". Atticus tried to stop them, but Scout stepped in. The men only backed down because of the children and because they felt ashamed.
are you referring to when the mob approaches Atticus at the county jail? If so, it's because they have come to lynch Tom Robinson, who is in the jail. I believe Atticus suspected this, and decided to go sit in front of the jail to protect Tom.
Scout, Jem, and Dill come to warn Atticus about a potential lynch mob forming to kill Tom Robinson at the Maycomb jail. They fear for Tom's safety and want to make sure Atticus is aware of the situation.