1960s. They seem like a long time ago. The Vietnam War, the first GPS satellite, the era of 8-tracks and cassettes seem far away. The 1960s is also when Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird was first published, a highly successful book written on a very controversial topic. Lee sets out to tackle the topic by telling a story through the perspective of Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, a nine-year-old girl. The story focuses on the events of the Finches, the Ewells, the trial of a black man, and Boo Radley, all in the town of Maycomb. By using these characters, Harper Lee shows how racism is something that is learned through society and can be avoided. Since the story is told from Scout's point of view, many of her opinions are expressed throughout the story. Lee uses Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill to show how racism is something that is not inherent in human nature. “I think there is only one kind of people. People” (Lee 23). Lee argues that children are not born with racism, and with the right influences, children can not only avoid racism, but can grow up respecting black people. Atticus is the primary influence in the children's lives. He is fair to blacks, respectful not only of blacks, but of everyone around him. He doesn't engage Ewell when he confronts Atticus for defending a black man. “It was Miss Stephanie's pleasure to tell us: Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the corner of the post office this morning, spat in his face, and told him he'd get him if he took the rest of his life. . 'I wish Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco,' was all Atticus said about it” (Lee 22-23). Atticus was also very stubborn. When given the responsibility of defending Tom Robinson, Atticus knows he will lose. But it does… in the middle of the paper… it's a way of showing what would happen if I deviated from the norm. Atticus is well respected in the community, even though he goes against social norms. "They certainly have a right to think so, and they are entitled to full respect for their opinions," said Atticus, "but before I can live with other people I must live with myself. The only thing that does not respect the majority rule is the a person's conscience.” (Law 11) Whenever people see Scout and Jem, they treat them with the utmost respect. The Ewells on the other hand follow the social norm, but they are the “poor white trash” of Maycomb. When Bob Ewell comes stabbed by Boo Radley, no one notices and no one is sad or worried about his death, not even Sheriff Lee proves that the hardest, but most “correct” choice will pay off in the end, even if everyone else does something. something different.