This is where she must decide if she will let this form of prejudice pass her by, or will she become an outcast of the town, like Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. Atticus's teaches Scout that though humanity has a great capacity for evil and wrong doings, it also has a great capacity for good. Also that the evil can often be turned into something good if one approaches the world with an outlook of sympathy and understanding, instead of with hatred and disgust. Scout's development throughout the novel shows that, she is able to keep a positive outlook on whatever evil she encounters. Although Scout is one of the youngest characters in this novel, by the end, she has a better understanding of evil, and the unfortunate mishaps that occur when evil is involved, than some of the older characters in this book. .
Atticus is Scout and Jems father. He is one of the most prominent citizens in Maycomb during the Great Depression. Atticus is relatively well off in a time of extreme poverty. Because of his intelligence, wisdom, and responsible behavior, everyone, including the very poor, respects Atticus. He functions as the moral backbone of Maycomb, a person that others feel they can turn to in times of doubt and trouble. Atticus is also a very consistent man, as well as the defense lawyer for the town. The people of the town say that he is the same in the courtroom as he is in the neighborhood. The code of conduct that he maintains for himself remains the same no matter what situation he is placed in. This is why he feels that he is responsible to take Tom Robinson's case and defend him to the best of his abilities. If he didn't, he would view himself as a hypocrite. The event that makes him admirable causes his falling out with the people of Maycomb. After refusing to follow the people's prejudice ways towards blacks, he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, in a rape trial in which he knows the man is innocent.