To kill a mockingbird

Although Atticus loses the trial, he believes strongly that despite social inequalities, all men are equal in the courtroom. He includes this information in his closing statements to the jury, and during his later discussions with Jem and Scout regarding jury selection and the trial process, makes this statement again. Atticus believes that progress towards racial equality can and will be made in the courtroom. The limitations are within the democratic system of the law. In this case the white men in Maycomb could not be swayed from their bigotry, even by the truth.