Harper Lee's To Kill a Mocking BirdTo Kill a Mockingbird is based around 1935, right in the middle of the depression. It is located in a small town in Alabama called Maycomb. Like most small towns in the South, it faces a problem of widespread racism against African Americans. The novel focuses on a family named the Finches. In the family there are three people, Scout, Jem and Atticus. Atticus is a lawyer and defends an African American named Tom Robinson in court, something that was not often done in the south due to racism. Many people feel threatened by this and feel a lot of resentment towards Atticus. Throughout the novel, all members of the Finches and many others demonstrate courage in their attempts to stand up for what they believe in. At the beginning of the novel, we meet Jean Louise Finch, or Scout for short. Scout is an energetic six-year-old boy. She still has her innocence and has not yet managed to understand the notions of racial discrimination or hatred. Scout is confused by what some of her classmates are saying about her father, Atticus Finch. Many of his classmates refer to Atticus as a "nigger lover." Being only six years old, Scout doesn't know how to handle such situations, so she solves her problems by fighting. The day Tom Robinson was transferred to Maycomb Prison to await trial, Atticus left the house to go sit outside the prison to watch Tom and make sure nothing happened to him. Scout, Jem and Dill followed him there to make sure nothing happened to him. Suddenly, several cars stopped in front of the prison. A crowd emerged from the vehicles and demanded that Atticus stand down so they could attack Tom. Frightened, the children ran to Atticus's side and asked him if everything was okay. Atticus told them to go home, but they refused. Suddenly, Scout saw a man she knew, Mr. Cunningham. She said hello to him twice before he recognized her. She started asking him about his relationships and talking about Walter, his son. At first he didn't say anything, Scout was afraid he had done something wrong. Then finally he said something, he said he would tell Walter that she said hello. After that they all left.