He defended a negro named tom who raped a white lady.
Atticus believes in the innocence of Tom Robinson and is committed to defending him to the best of his abilities because he sees it as a matter of justice and morality. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity and dignity in the face of societal prejudice and injustice.
Atticus defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, upsets many people because of the deeply ingrained racism and prejudice in the society of Maycomb. In the 1930s Southern United States, racial tensions were high, and the idea of a white lawyer vigorously defending a black man challenged the status quo and threatened the existing power dynamics. Atticus's actions were seen as controversial and against the norms of the racially divided community.
They found him at the courthouse in town. Tom Robinson had been moved there to await trial, and Atticus was afraid there would be trouble from the people who lived in Maycomb. He's right, as a mob shows up at the jail to come after Tom Robinson, which the children see, as they were there looking for Atticus.
The people of Maycomb start to treat Atticus and the children with hostility and criticism as Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. They face prejudice and discrimination from the townspeople who disapprove of Atticus taking on the case and for allowing his children to be exposed to such controversy.
Atticus decides to defend Tom Robinson, who is negro. It causes controversy because white people back then were so unbelievably ignorant that they wanted to pretty much say that Tom was guilty of a crime he didn't commit without a fair trial. Atticus wants to honor the law and is unbiased in helping Tom.
Some signs of support shown to Tom Robinson in Maycomb include Atticus Finch defending him in court, Miss Maudie openly expressing her belief in his innocence, and Reverend Sykes leading the African American community in attending the trial to show solidarity. Additionally, Sheriff Heck Tate's acknowledgment of Tom's character and innocence also reflects support.
people had a distorted view of atticus because public sentiment in maycomb county led towards the public norm of racism and prejudice. Because atticus was defending a black man for rape in an environment like that he was misunderstood as going against the other white folk in the town. Atticus was an individual in that he did not care about what the public thought of him, he defended Tom Robinson to the best of his ability because it was the right thing to do, even if the other residents of Maycomb country resented him for it
It is where the main characters Atticus Finch, Jean Louise Finch (scout), and Jeremy Finch(Jem) live. The book shares different tales about times when the family and/or their maid Calpurnia have guests over or have different family adventures
In his final appeal, Atticus challenges the deeply ingrained racism and prejudice in Maycomb by asking the jury to rise above their prejudices and deliver a fair verdict based on evidence. He also challenges the belief that African Americans are inferior to white people, arguing for equality and justice for Tom Robinson. Additionally, Atticus challenges the idea that people should conform to societal expectations at the expense of their own values and principles by defending Tom Robinson despite the backlash he faces.
The people of Maycomb County generally respect Atticus Finch for his integrity, intelligence, and moral character. However, some residents disapprove of his unconventional beliefs and actions, especially when he defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. Overall, Atticus is both admired and criticized by the community for his strong sense of justice and willingness to challenge social norms.
They didn't talk about the robinson case because it was a sexual assault, and plua, Tom Robinson died because he was found guilty because of his race. (No one really thought of it as much importance anyway...)
Bob Ewell threatens Atticus Finch by spitting on him, harasses Tom Robinson's widow Helen by following and intimidating her, and attacks Jem and Scout Finch in retaliation for Atticus defending Tom in court.