Students at school start saying that Atticus "defends niggers." When Scout asks why, Atticus says he's defending a black man named Tom Robinson. Atticus says he won't win the case, but has to take it in order to keep his integrity. He cautions Scout that people, even their friends, might say dirty things to her, and tells her to keep her head up and avoid fighting. Scout does. It's the first time she's ever walked away from a fight.
Scout and Jem begin to see the prejudice that is as much a part of Maycomb as the kindness they've long known. Atticus teaches both tolerance and courage: he never stops thinking of those who disagree with him as friends, but also refuses to let them stop him from fighting for what's right.