This classic story has touched generations since it was written in the late 1950s. Set during the Great Depression in Maycomb, Alabama, the story centers around the Finch family. Atticus, the father and a prominent lawyer, takes a case defending an innocent black man. Although Atticus proves his client is innocent, the all-white jury still convicts the defendant.
Ewell vs. Boo Radley. At the conclusion of the novel, Ewell goes after Scout and Jem on their way home. To save them, Boo leaves his house and kills Ewell in a fight.
The Sheriff vs. Himself. When Boo kills Ewell, the sheriff must decide whether to lie, or to arrest Boo. He decides to call the incident an accident, and that Ewell fell on his knife. The decision to lie was a struggle for the Sheriff. If he arrested Boo, it would have been like killing a mockingbird.
Atticus vs. Racism in Maycomb. A prime example of man vs. society is when Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson. Man members of the town feel Atticus should not defend Tom because is black, and the novel is set in a time of racial discrimination. Atticus is looked upon poorly, threatened, and even harassed for being Tom’s Lawyer.