in several ways.

First, he calls Dill, Scout's best friend, a "runt." He discloses Dill's truth to Scout: essentially, that Dill is an unwanted child that is passed around "from relative to relative" until Miss Rachel keeps him in the summers. This, to Scout, is a painful truth to discover, and something she has not fully realized in the midst of her innocent journey into her other discoveries during that particular year (the year of the trial).

Another sad truth is hearing that, because of the trial, people are referring to Atticus Finch as a "nigger-lover."

I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family.

These words are probably mortifying to Scout, as she continues to unveil the true opinions of people that she has otherwise known all of her life. Never before has she heard her father referred to in such a cruel manner, just as she never thought of Dill as being anything other than a normal child with a busy life.

Scout learns that even Francis's grandmother has those thoughts about Atticus.

Grandma says it’s bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he’s turned out a nigger-lover we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He’s ruinin‘ the family, that’s what he’s doin.

It is no surprise that the evening does not turn out well, and that Scout and Francis then have a physical fight.

Numerous quotes illustrate how Atticus is criticized by his fellow community members for defending Tom Robinson. In Chapter 9, Cecil Jacobs tells Scout on the playground,

"My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an‘ that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank!" (Lee, 79).

Cecil's derogatory words directed towards Atticus upset Scout, who does her best not to punch him in the face.

When the Finch family gets together for Christmas, Francis Hancock expresses his grandmother's negative feelings towards Atticus's decision to defend Tom Robinson. Francis tells Scout,

"Grandma says it’s bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he’s turned out a nigger-lover we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He’s ruinin‘ the family, that’s what he’s doin’" (Lee, 85).

Clearly, Aunt Alexandra believes that her brother is ruining the family's reputation by defending a black man.

In chapter 11, Jem and Scout are walking to the store and pass the home of their racist neighbor, Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose criticizes Atticus for defending Tom Robinson by telling Jem,

"Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!" (Lee, 105).

Overall, the majority of the citizens in Maycomb are prejudiced and disapprove of Atticus defending a black man. However, Atticus refuses to comply with his racist neighbors and does what he thinks is right by defending Tom Robinson in front of a prejudiced jury.

Bob Ewell is about the only man to criticize Atticus to his face.

"Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin' bastard?"  (Chapter 23)

Instead, the citizens of Maycomb display their displeasure behind his back or to his children. Scout has to endure insults by Cecil Jacobs and her Cousin Francis, who echo Bob's "nigger-lover" epithet. The children "heard plenty from the town," mostly on the city sidewalks, but when they turned around to "face our accusers, we would only see a couple of farmers studying the enema bags in the Mayco Drugstore Window." The lynch mob is none too happy about Atticus's decision, but they seem to have too much respect for him to criticize him. On the day of the trial, the children overhear several members of the Idler's Club commenting on Atticus's choice of clientele, who claim that Atticus only

"... thinks he knows what he's doing."  (Chapter 16)

Mrs. Merriweather does offer her criticsim in Atticus's house, but he is not at home, and she never mentions him by name.

"Now far be it from me to say who, but some of 'em in this town thought they were doing the right thing awhile back, but all they did was stir 'em up".  (Chapter 24)

There are numerous quotes throughout the courtroom scenes in Chapters 17 through 20 that depict Atticus standing up for Tom Robinson. One of the most memorable, significant scenes throughout the trial takes place in Chapter 20 when Atticus gives his closing remarks. Atticus begins by stating that this case is as simple as black and white. He mentions that the Ewells' testimonies contradict one another, and elaborates on Mayella's motivation to accuse Tom Robinson of raping her. Atticus explains the guilt she felt by breaking the unwritten "code" of society, and suggests that Bob Ewell assaulted his own daughter after witnessing her actions. He continues by discussing the inaccuracy and ignorance associated with the "evil assumption" that all black men are immoral beings. He urges the jury members to look beyond their prejudiced views and judge Tom's case based solely on the evidence provided. Atticus says,

"Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty." (Lee 275)

Atticus is pleading that the jury put aside their racist ideologies and judge Tom Robinson with equality. Atticus has already defended Tom's character, pointed out the Ewells' lies, and is now calling for justice. Unfortunately, the prejudiced jury members wrongly convict Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson becomes yet another victim of racial injustice in Maycomb, Alabama.

Atticus takes Tom Robinson’s case because he has to and because he believes that it is the right thing to do.

Tom Robinson’s trial throws all of Maycomb into turmoil.  A black man, Tom Robinson, is accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell.  Mayella is very poor, and Tom of course is black, so they live near each other on the outskirts of town, by the dump.

Atticus is assigned the case by Judge Taylor.  He is one of Maycomb’s most respected lawyers.  He takes it not just because he is assigned to it, but also because he wants to show his children that racism is wrong.

But do you think I could face my children otherwise? You know what’s going to happen as well as I do, Jack, and I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease. (Ch. 9)

Atticus also takes the case because he wants to show his children that sometimes you have to fight really hard for something, even if you may not be successful in the end.  That is what the trial is for him.  It is an important case where he has to work hard to win when he knows that he can’t possibly get an acquittal in the climate of racism.

Atticus uses the example of Mrs. Dubose, who weaned herself off of her morphine addiction, to show why fighting the impossible fight is so important.

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. (Ch. 11)

Atticus explains to Scout that defending Tom Robinson is a matter of pride for him.  When she asks him why he takes the case, he tells her that he has a lot of reasons.

“The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (Ch. 9)

Atticus feels like he is setting a bad example for his children if he backs down.  He is a lawyer, and lawyers often take difficult cases and cases they don't think they can win.  He also has to do what is right, for his children’s sake.

Atticus reiterates to Scout that the case is unwinnable, but he has to fight for it anyway.

“Atticus, are we going to win it?”

“No, honey.”

“Then why—”

“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason

for us not to try to win,” Atticus said. (Ch. 9)

Scout doesn’t understand why he would try an unwinnable case, but Atticus explains to her that even when you buck tradition, you still need to do what you believe in.  Just because something is tradition does not make it right.  Racial prejudice is a perfect example of that.

Another important point is that the innocent deserve to be protected.  Atticus introduces this to Scout and Jem metaphorically, when he gives them guns.

Atticus said to Jem one day, “I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Ch. 10)

Miss Maudie explains that mockingbirds do not hurt anyone.  Killing a mockingbird means killing a defenseless creature that brings beauty to people’s lives through its singing and does no harm to anyone.  The metaphorical mockingbirds in the story are Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.  Each is defenseless, targeted by his society for no other reason than that he is different.

During the trial, Atticus explains to the jury why they should acquit based on guilt or innocence and ignore race in their decision.

Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. (Ch. 20)

Atticus tells the court that he believes that they can do the right thing.  In a way, they do.  They actually deliberate, whereas most black men would be tossed in jail without a thought.  Atticus raised reasonable doubt, but not enough to overcome centuries of racism.

These six quotes demonstrate why Atticus Finch had to take Tom Robinson's case, and defend it to the best of his ability.  Most other lawyers put in his position would balk at the task or give up because it was impossible.  Atticus was not able to get an acquittal, but he was able to get a deliberation.  That is a small victory, but it is a victory.

Much like Tessie Hutchinson of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, Atticus stands alone before the jury and challenges their traditional beliefs.  He begins his summation by declaring,

...this case should never have come to trial.  This case is as simple as black and white.

The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place.(Ch.20)

After the verdict of guilty comes in, Aunt Alexandra tells Atticus, "I'm sorry, brother."  And, Jem bleakly asks Atticus, "How could they do it, how could they?" (Ch.21)

When food appears outside, Calpurnia tells Atticus, "They 'preciate what you did, Mr. Finch."  Later, Miss Maudie tells the children,

'Did it ever strike you that Judge Taylor naming Atticus to defend that boy was no accident?  That Judge Taylor might have had his reasons for naming him?...It was no accident....as I waited I thought, Atticus Finch won't win, he can't win, but he's the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that.  And I thought to myself, well, we're making a step--it's just a baby step, but it's a step.' (Ch.21)

Of course, even bigger news than the trial proceedings is the gossip of the town about Atticus's face being spat upon by Bob Ewell, vowing to get him if it took the rest of his life, an insult which underscores the greatness of Atticus's actions.