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In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, why does Atticus Finch become Tom Robinson's attorney?

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is set in Depression era rural Alabama. For the white and African American residents, segregation and racism are accepted parts of life. Even so, Atticus Finch, in his role as defense attorney, strives that every individual charged with a crime receive a fair trial.


When Atticus is appointed to the position of Tom Robinson’s attorney, he accepts. For him, there is much on the line. He is a respected attorney defending an African American man accused of beating and raping a white woman. In the eyes of many of Maycomb’s residents, Atticus taking the case is nothing less than betraying the white race he represents. Yet for Atticus, his view of equal justice extends further than the courtroom. When he hears rumors that some residents plan to kidnap Tom from his jail cell and lynch him, Atticus decides to guard the cell knowing that the mob might harm or kill him in its attempt to get to Tom.

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