What does Tom Robinson's trial reveal about Maycomb's community?

The
trial of Tom Robinson is significant in several ways. One set of factors that we will analyze
pertains to the case going to trial and the choice of public defender. Another set pertains to
what transpired during the trial, including its outcome.

Because of
deep-seated racism in Maycomb and, Lee implies, in Alabama more generally, many white people
believed that Tom was guilty of rape. Among the attorneys who might possibly have been selected
to defend him,was chosen. To increase the odds of a fair trial, it could have been moved to
another jurisdiction where people had heard less about the case, but the trial was held in the
place where the alleged crime occurred. Sheriff Tate comments, Change of Venue . . . Not much
point in that. After Tom is arrested and incarcerated, but before the trial, a group of local
men go to the jail, where they intend to remove Tom and lynch him, although this is left unsaid:
Young know what we want, another man said. Lee...