In chapter 16 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, it is revealed by Atticus that Braxton Underwood dislikes African-Americans, yet he didn't cease to protect Tom Robinson and Atticus by the jail from the mob, which reveals courage in his acts. In chapter 15, a mob lead by Walter Cunningham with the intentions of doing harm to Tom Robinson confronted Atticus, who was blocking the entrance to the jail. Scout, who was hiding, ran to help her father, and eventually scared the mob away. It was revealed at the end of that chapter that Mr. Underwood was prepared for the worst at a window with his shotgun. At the beginning of chapter 16, as the Finches are having breakfast, Atticus brings up Mr. Underwood: "He despises Negroes, won't have one near him" (Lee 209). Even though Braxton Underwood has shown that aversion towards African-Americans, he stood up and protected one of his friends, Atticus, and Tom Robinson, an African-American accused of rape. This shows tremendous courage, one of the main themes shown from characters throughout the novel, from him, for going past his beliefs to help a friend, knowing he will be condemned for his actions if one finds out. Mr. Underwood did not only mature and use an incredible amount of bravery, but he was there for Atticus if anything went wrong while he was protecting Tom Robinson from the angry mob out to hurt him.
Do you think Braxton Underwood did this to help out Atticus or for another reason?
I believe Mr. Underwood was mostly just there to help out Atticus, since he dislikes African-Americans blatantly. Mr. Underwood probably didn't want to show any signs of courage or helpfulness, and was there to make sure the commotion was low and Atticus didn't get hurt . Also Mr. Underwood may have been willing to forget about race at the time and just wanted to do what was best for Atticus, and respected Atticus even if Tom Robinson was the matter. Even when "Mr. Underwood had done his best to live down" (Lee, 178) his confederate name, he still respects and protects Atticus so he can do what he wants, without being mobbed.
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