Southerners are known for taking pride in their traditional beliefs. To Kill A Mockingbird allows its readers to question and consider such beliefs. Maycomb represents a typical old Southern town. Not many people move to Maycomb, and not many people who live there travel beyond its borders. As a result, the opinions of many Maycomb citizens are left to grow and cultivate in the same families for many generations. The circumstances in Maycomb are less than ideal for generating change and are more likely to uphold traditionally accepted codes. Two codes embedded in Southern social beliefs are class and race. The years 1960 and 1961, when To Kill A Mockingbird was published, marked a time of great change. The civil rights movement was in full swing and the country was undergoing social and economic reconstruction. Traditional thinking was transforming into ideas and thoughts that had never been considered before, and old traditions were being pitted against new ones. Looking in the Deep South, in a small town called Maycomb, tradition for most people meant prejudice, separation, and racism. Atticus Finch chooses to fight this "old tradition" with his own traditions. Thanks to his highly ethical character, Atticus is able to honorably defend Tom Robinson and promote a "new tradition" for himself and his children. Respect, dignity, and equality form the backbone of Atticus's belief system, a belief system containing qualities that are often overlooked in the traditional South. In the absence of outside support, Atticus fights his battle the only way he knows how: with patience, perseverance and honesty. The South and tradition are synonymous. Southerners are known to take pride in their work... middle of paper... After realizing he is fighting an uphill battle, it is Atticus's integrity that keeps him going. He sees the problems with the traditional social codes of the South and realizes that they must be redefined, for the good of his children and his children's children. Atticus knows that one of these days someone will "pay the bill" (p.221). He realizes that traditional beliefs will not be changed overnight and does not expect it. His solution to his dilemma is to remain steadfastly true to his Southern tradition and beliefs. Atticus Finch is a true Southern gentleman. His courage, nobility, pride and honesty allow him to do what few men at the time could do. Atticus does not delude himself by ignoring the inevitable. Accept his position and attack traditional opinions he doesn't believe in like a true gentleman, face to face.