To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is an ageless
             classic that takes place during the 1930s. In the
             fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, there was a deadly
             racial attitude towards the people who were different
             then the general public. In a town of tunnel vision
             and hatred, Atticus and Scout stood out with open
             Atticus was the anchor of reason in Maycomb. He
             understood many people in town and taught his children
             how to understand other people's feeling as well.
             Atticus believed that if you knew what someone had
             been through, then you would understand them better.
             Atticus also made Jem and Scout realize that no one is
             pure evil; meaning that if you look hard enough, you
             would find that there is good in every person you
             meet. Mrs. Dubose, who was perceived as an "old
             witch" by Jem and Scout, showed great bravery in her
             fight against drug addiction. Atticus believed Jem
             would change his opinions of Mrs. Dubose if he spends
             some time with her. Only after Mrs. Dubose's death
             did Jem begin to perceive Mrs. Dubose the same way his
             father did. Likewise Atticus defended Tom Robinson
             when no other lawyer would. He was one of the few
             respectable people who were not blinded by the racial
             injustice Tom Robinson faced. Not only did Atticus
             defend Tom in the courthouse, he defended him at jail
             on one occasion too. It happened when an angry mob
             was trying to kill Tom Robinson, but Atticus risked
             his life to save him from that mob. If only the
             people of Maycomb were willing to listen to Atticus'
             wise advice, then the town would be free of racism.
             Scout, symbolizing the leaders of tomorrow, began to
             see how other people perceived things. She started to
             understand the meaning of "to kill a mockingbird." At
             first Scout couldn't comprehend what Atticus meant
             when he said, "It was a sin to kill a mockingbird."
             ...