How do the relationships in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird create conflict and tension in the story?

There are two types of relationships that create conflict
and tension in To Kill a Mockingbird.  Relationships between family
members create conflict.  Tension is also caused by relationships between different
members of Maycomb society.

There are conflicts between Jem
and Scout, and between the children and their father.  Any family has tension, and the
tension between Scout and Jem is mostly based on Jem being older than Scout and having a
better understanding of the way the adult world works than she does.  Tension between
Atticus and his children is also caused by his choice to defend Tom Robinson, a choice
that causes problems for both of his kids and one that they do not fully understand
until the trial.  Another example of family conflict is Aunt Alexandra, who has
conflicts with Scout over what it means to be a lady.

There
is also tension and conflict caused by relationships between Atticus and other members
of the Maycomb community due to Atticus’s defense of Tom Robinson.  Atticus is normally
well-respected in Maycomb.  His high standing in society is maintained even throughout
the trial, because people respect his choice even if they disagree.  However this puts
Atticus at odds with various members of Maycomb, such as the incident with the
Cunningham mob.  If Atticus had no relationships with these people to begin with, then
the tension would not be so high.