The Best Way to Stop Mob Mentality

     Scout unknowingly becomes her father's savior and saved him from a very likely attack from a group of men from Old Sarum. Atticus was sitting outside of the jail Tom Robinson was in. He was hoping to talk with men he knew were coming to kill Tom Robinson before his trial happens. The men are afraid that Atticus is going to actually try to have Tom Robinson look innocent, which no other white lawyer has done for an African American. Although Atticus was once known as ol' one shot back in the day, he brought no weapons, no threats, and no violence. He only brought a newspaper to keep himself busy until the group came. Atticus' plan was to persuade the men of Old Sarum to not kill Tom however he was interrupted by his daughter Scout, who he didn't want to be there. She ran up happily and greeted her dad. She wasn't aware of what was happening, but realized soon as she saw her father's hand shake. Although he seemed calm, Atticus was afraid. There was a huge risk trying to stand up for Tom, but he did it anyways. This is TRUE courage. Doing something you know will possibly get you hurt or killed to save others. Atticus could have easily use cheap threats against these men and broughten a gun with him but that's not true courage. Although Atticus is a brave man for doing this, he is still afraid, and Scout notices this. She also notices one of the men in the crowd. It's Mr. Cunningham, a poor man who's son went to school with Scout and Jem. Scout talks to Mr. Cunningham and calls him by his name and singles him out. He is brought out from the plan to murder a man to reality, where he is talking with one of his son's friends. Scout is able to make Mr. Cunningham step into her father's shoes. He thinks about how he wouldn't want to hurt someone with kids, especially with the children being right in front of them. He thought of his child and how terrible that would be. He then decides to lead the group home. Tom is safe. Atticus is safe. Scout is safe.
     I thought this moment in the book was very interesting. I thought it was interesting how mob mentality can change everything about someone because they want to fit in. I also thought it was interesting how Scout was able to stop the possible outcome of anyone being hurt by singling out Mr. Cunningham. She was able to make him remember that he has asked for help from Atticus before on separate occasions. She makes Mr. Cunningham feel horrible about his decision. I think that this is a very useful skill that is needed to make violence stop. Violence creates more violence. What I mean by this is that it isn't a good idea to just shoot people to make them go away. It will make them afraid at first and sure, they do go away. However this is a temporary thing. As soon as they have enough power to over take you in a battle, they won't be afraid anymore and your attempt to get them away will disappear. However, if you are able to talk things out and make people feel bad about their actions, they won't want to feel that way ever again and won't try to do whatever they did ever again.