Final answer:
In Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' Atticus Finch is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, which the townspeople disapprove of because they expect a black defendant to be swiftly convicted without an effective defense.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote you're asking about is from Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. It deals with the themes of racial injustice and the moral complexity of human behavior. The character Atticus Finch is appointed to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white girl in the deeply segregated South. Despite it being a court order, the townspeople disapprove of Atticus putting forth a vigorous defense. This is because they have preconceived notions of guilt associated with race and expect a black defendant to be swiftly convicted without an effective defense. Atticus's commitment to justice highlights the systemic racism of the time and his character's moral fortitude.