In chapter 16 according to the towns person, what is maycomb's conflict with Atticus involvement in the trial? What do they expect him to do and is that ethical? Connect this to our theme?

The fact that Atticus is defending the word of a black man over the accusations of a white girl is sacrilegious. The very thought of a white girl being raped by a black man is enough to stir the white population of Maycomb into a frenzy. The truth has nothing to do with how they see things. The town expects Atticus to yield to Bob Ewell and his daughter without putting up a defence. This falls in line with the theme of ignorance and racism.