Although many people in Maycomb do not approve of Atticus'
decision to represent Tom Robinson, Atticus nevertheless commands the respect of most of
Maycomb's citizens. The fact that Atticus serves as Maycomb's representative to the
Alabama state legislature and runs unopposed each term is testament to his stature in
the town. The townspeople know that Atticus is an honest and humble man who will assist
his neighbors--either legally or personally--in any way he can. Atticus often accepts
trade goods as payment for legal services, and he often waits until his client is able
to repay him. Many townspeople disapprove of Atticus' defending Robinson, but they know
he will represent him to the best of his ability. As one Maycomb man
commented,
"Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That's
what I don't like about
it."
Atticus' respect among
Maycomb's Negro population is obvious when they stand in unison to honor him as he
leaves the courtroom. His close friends recognize that he is the heart and soul of the
town. Miss Maudie tells Jem and Scout,
"... there are some men in this world who were
born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them...
"We're so rarely called on to be Christians, but when we are, we've got men like Atticus
to go for us."
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