Final answer:
Atticus, Scout, and Jem in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' predominantly act against societal norms rather than displaying herd behavior. Atticus stands up for justice by defending Tom Robinson, while Scout and Jem embrace individual thought and reject societal and gender expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the characters Atticus, Scout, and Jem do not tend to show herd behavior, which is acting similarly to those around them without planned direction. Instead, they often act against the societal norms of their community.
For example, Atticus Finch represents values of justice and moral integrity by defending Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman, despite facing considerable social backlash. This is the antithesis of herd behavior as he stands against the town's racist views. Scout, alongside her brother Jem, also exhibits signs of individual thinking when she questions the role of women in society and challenges gender stereotypes. Both characters choose to embrace their father's values rather than conform to the expectations of their peers and neighbors. Their actions consistently display moral courage and a form of individualism rather than herd mentality.