The concept of protection plays a major role in this chapter, as several characters are involved in the act if defending or safeguarding one another. Who protects whom, and how do they do it?

Atticus protects Tom Robinson by literally sitting in front of the prison. Atticus simply has a lamp and a book. Atticus intends to appeal to the men's sense of right and wrong. Jem and Scout follow Atticus to the prison. Jem, in particular, knows that things might get out of hand. When the mob becomes aggressive, Jem comes in to protect his father. Scout finally offers the most effective protection by appealing to Mr. Cunningham's conscience using the simple logic of a child.