Final answer:
Reverend Thomas Lane Butts likely finds comfort in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' due to its compassionate and morally righteous themes that resonate with his own desires for racial justice and understanding in his community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main reason Reverend Thomas Lane Butts finds comfort in To Kill a Mockingbird is likely due to the themes of compassion, empathy, and moral righteousness that are central to the novel. In dealing with the historical context of racial injustice, the story provides a profound narrative on understanding and overcoming prejudice. The character of Atticus Finch stands as a moral beacon, fighting against racial inequality and exemplifying the virtues of empathy and justice.
Reverend Butts may find solace in the way the novel approaches these difficult subjects with nuance and humanity. The narrative might resonate with him as a religious leader who would have hoped for a similar moral stand within his own community, akin to what is reflected in the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other moral leaders who sought justice and understanding amidst widespread discrimination.