Tom Robinson, a black man, is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Despite the pressure the community puts on Atticus Finch, Robinson's defense attorney. Atticus upholds the law in his own right and truthfully defends Tom based on his belief that all men are created equal. Author Harper Lee exposes the evil of racial prejudice throughout the novel through the innocent observations of young Scout who is perplexed but not undone by the hateful behavior of others.
Atticus Finch teaches his two children, Jem and Scout, the importance of integrity throughout the book. He teaches them the morality of doing the right thing despite the evil that exists in the world and to never lose faith in the goodness of people. As Atticus gives reasons to his children why he must defend t Tom Robinson truthfully despite the condemnation he faces from the townspeople. Atticus tells them, "... if I didn't I couldn't hold my head up in town; I couldn't represent this county in the legislature; I couldn't even tell you or Jem to do something again."
The Ewel family of Maycomb are on the low end of the social totem pole while Scout's family, the Finches are higher in society. Scout doesn't understand why the Ewel's and Cunninghams are so disliked and why these poor families are too prideful to receive help from others. Scout contemplates that all people should be treated equally, whatever their social standing. She understands that there are inequalities in Maycomb; she just doesn't understand why they exist and sees the injustice in all of it.