Final answer:
In 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' the African-American community shows gratitude to Atticus Finch for his defense of Tom Robinson by sending him gifts of food, an act that underscores their thanks for his efforts against racial injustice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to events in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, where Atticus Finch, a white lawyer, defends Tom Robinson, a black man unjustly accused of raping a white woman. Despite Atticus's compelling defense, the racially biased jury convicts Tom. In gratitude for Atticus's earnest efforts, the African-American community in the novel shows their appreciation by sending gifts of food to Atticus's home. This gesture symbolizes their deep thankfulness for his stand against racial injustice, even though the legal battle was lost. Atticus receives heaps of foodstuffs such as nuts, fruits, and other goods, which is a significant sacrifice considering the community's generally low economic status.
Within the larger historical context, the African-American community has often had to fight for acknowledgment and equity, especially during wartimes when they served their country with the expectation that such service would lead to better treatment and recognition of their rights. These struggles reflect the broader challenges and systemic issues of racism that Atticus's defense of Tom also represents, albeit in the fictional setting of Maycomb, Alabama.