One evening, Atticus stands guard outside the jail where Tom Robinson is being held. An angry mob of men approaches. Jem, Scout, and Dill, who had sneaked out, also approach. Scout speaks to Mr. Cunningham, one of the men in the mob. She brings up casual topics of conversation, such as telling his son she says hello. Mr. Cunningham softens and tells the mob to leave.
The next morning, Jem and Scout bring up the...
One evening, Atticus stands guard outside the jail where Tom Robinson is being held. An angry mob of men approaches. Jem, Scout, and Dill, who had sneaked out, also approach. Scout speaks to Mr. Cunningham, one of the men in the mob. She brings up casual topics of conversation, such as telling his son she says hello. Mr. Cunningham softens and tells the mob to leave.
The next morning, Jem and Scout bring up the mob from the previous evening. Atticus gives his opinion on the topic:
"A mob's always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man. Every mob in every little Southern town is always made up of people you know— doesn't say much for them, does it?" (To Kill a Mockingbird, chapter 16)
Atticus sees the humanity in the mob. He sees the mob as a group of individuals. He knows that they are his friends and neighbors. Maycomb is a small town, and Atticus knows everyone in it. It is a fact that mobs are made up of people. Atticus sees beyond this fact. He sees them as his fellow townsmen. This also makes the mob seem less threatening. What do you think? Do you think that this mob of men should have been viewed as friends and neighbors or as a threat?