What Is Atticus's Relationship In To Kill A Mockingbird

In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird the relationship between Tom Robinson and Atticus Finch signifies a major focus and essential part of the story as a whole. Overall it has a positive impact of the outcome on the book. However this relationship causes many people to succumb to their destructive impulses because of race, community beliefs, and current events.

One of the biggest reasons the relationship between Tom and Atticus was frowned on was because of their difference in race. Atticus was a white, middle class politician and lawyer who was well respected throughout the community and the state. Tom on the other hand was a poor, black sharecropper who had little say in any official matter. However this did not hinder Atticus’s judgement

not only in court but also in his attitude and treatment of Tom. However at that time it would have been more common for a white man to lean towards the white prosecutor.
In the town of Maycomb the social difference between whites and blacks still was drastically different. Black families lived separately from the townspeople and only a few poorer whites blurred the lines between the two groups. A perfect example of this was the Ewell’s who lived in close proximity with the black sharecropper’s of the town. Because of these differences and the white’s beliefs, it infuriated many people to see Atticus grow in his relationship with Tom and support him in the case with such persistence and vigor. Most other lawyers of the time would not have taken the same approach towards the case as Atticus did. Because of this some of the townspeople and others were angered because of their relationship in this aspect.
Because of events coinciding at the same time as the mutual respect and relationship between Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson it caused unset within the community.

With the case causes upset and anger within the county life changed for both Tom and Atticus. Though Atticus at first received little anger directed towards him because of his selection to the case that he had not decided upon, however as the story progressed frustration rose because of his more than necessary protection and support of Tom. An example of this is when a mob entered into town to seize Tom and deliver him to the state prison. When they arrived Atticus was waiting at the town jail cell preventing them from entering. Even with their guns drawn and fists raised Atticus held his ground and protected Tom even if it meant putting himself at risk.

Throughout the story Tom and Atticus not only maintained a strong and trusting relationship for the case Atticus and Tom respected each other and Atticus did his best to protect and keep Tom out of prison. They achieved this even when the townspeople were angered because of race, community beliefs, and current events. I feel Harper Lee’s purpose for this aspect of the story was to show that no matter what other people say stick to your beliefs and ideals for they are what define you as a

person.