Question

When seeing Scout and Jem in town, a man on the street mumbles, “They c’n go loose and rape up the countryside for all of ‘em who run this country care.” What does he mean? Why does this man say such a thing at the sight of Jem and Scout? Who is this man accusing of rape?

Answer 1

Atticus Finch is a white lawyer tasked with defending a black man accused of raping and assaulting a local white woman. He is also the father of Jem and Scout. The man is resentful toward Atticus for actually mounting a vigorous defense rather than simply going through the motions and allowing the accused to be easily convicted.