why is tom robinson a respectful and humble man?

Tom Robinson had the audacity to help a white girl. Tom was simple but he knew his place in Maycomb county. Despite the dangers of helping Mayella Tom does anyway. He does it because it is the right thing to do. With Mayella his fait is sealed. And so Atticus, in his final summation, states “And so, a quiet, humble, respectable Negro man, who has had the unmitigated temerity to feel sorry for a white woman..." Tom bears his cross with dignity but sadly, it is not enough.