Why is Atticus sitting at the jailhouse door?

Atticus is sitting at the jailhouse door to protect Tom Robinson.

In Chapter 15, Tom Robinson has been transferred to the Maycomb jail, and Atticus has stationed himself in front of the jail to protect his client. Eventually, a group of Maycomb men turns up and demands that Tom be handed over to them; they want to make an example of Tom by lynching him.

For his part, Atticus refuses to move and tells the...

Atticus is sitting at the jailhouse door to protect Tom Robinson.

In Chapter 15, Tom Robinson has been transferred to the Maycomb jail, and Atticus has stationed himself in front of the jail to protect his client. Eventually, a group of Maycomb men turns up and demands that Tom be handed over to them; they want to make an example of Tom by lynching him.

For his part, Atticus refuses to move and tells the crowd to disperse. In the end, the children's surprising intervention saves the day.

When the crowd initially sees the children, they demand that Atticus sends Scout, Jem, and Dill home. However, Jem refuses to budge. Someone tries to grab Jem, but Scout aims a well-placed kick at the man that temporarily immobilizes him. In the meantime, Jem stands his ground next to Atticus. For her part, Scout calls out to a familiar face, Mr. Walter Cunningham.

Her eventual kind inquiries about Mr. Cunningham's business and welfare disarm the surly man. Touched by her innocence and solicitude, Mr. Cunningham calls off the men, and the mob disperses. Because of Atticus and the children's bravery, Tom Robinson is kept from being lynched.