In Chapter 15 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus's actions in response to the mob in front of the jailhouse can be characterized as brave and ingenious.
One of his ingenious actions was dangling a light bulb attached to an extension cord from the second floor of the jailhouse to the front door of the jailhouse. The light bulb lit Atticus from the back as he sat in an office chair with his back against the door. The back lighting would make him look bigger and more threatening.
Atticus shows bravery in challenging the men. Though they are determined to take justice into their own hands, when Atticus commands them not to wake Tom Robinson up, they can't help but show Atticus respect by instinctively speaking in whispers, as Scout notes.
Despite his bravery, Atticus starts to show pure fear the moment he sees Scout at the jail, followed by Jem and Dill. We can tell he is afraid based on Scout's description of Atticus slowly rising from his chair and moving with trembling fingers:
Atticus got up from his chair, but he was moving slowly, like an old man. He put the newspaper down very carefully, adjusting its creases with lingering fingers. They were trembling a little. (Ch. 15)
Though Atticus shows bravery in facing the mob, it's really Scout who inadvertently saves the day by speaking to Walter Cunningham, the mob's ring leader, as a caring neighbor, which reminds him of his humanity.
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