Final answer:
In 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Maycomb's reaction to Tom's death reflects the deep-rooted racism and indifference; the Finch family is troubled, yet many townsfolk exhibit a callous disregard.
Step-by-step explanation:
The community of Maycomb had a complex reaction to the news of Tom's death in To Kill a Mockingbird. While some citizens are shaken by the injustice, others brush it off as the expected outcome for a black man accused of raping a white woman. The news affects different characters in varying degrees; the Finch family is deeply troubled, while for many in the town, life carries on with indifference towards the legal discrimination entrenched in their society. This event further illustrates the deep-seated racial prejudices of the time and the resultant social divisions.