"It is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they do nothing but make music for us to enjoy." In Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus says the above quote to basically sum up one of the major themes of the book. To Atticus, a mockingbird is a harmless bird that makes the world a more pleasant place to live. Throughout the book, Jem, Tom, Boo and Scout can all be associated with a mockingbird. They have all been innocent people, who have been shattered by contact with evil.
             When Tom was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, it was like a mockingbird itself had been shot and killed. Chopping wood and doing whatever he was capable of doing was all Tom had ever done for Mayella. Tom was innocent. He had never hurt a soul, or had the intentions of hurting someone. Once he is shot, Mr. Underwood comments that his death is comparable to the "senseless slaughter of songbirds." Tom did no harm to anyone, but by helping Mayella, he ended up dying for it.
             When we are first introduced to Scout at the beginning of the novel, we are exposed to an innocent child who is oblivious to the evil in the world. Once she is faced with the evil, it is questionable on whether or not she will emerge a mockingbird or not. With her luck of being raised by Atticus's wisdom, she learns that evil can sometimes be narrowed with the right attitude. Even though Scout is still a child, she is taking on a perspective of life that a grown-up should have, and that is how she proves that she is a mockingbird.
             Jem himself has been scarred by the experience of Tom's trial. When he sees that justice does not always succeed, he is confused and susceptible. All the same, he still stands strong with the confidence that Atticus has instilled in him, as he has also done with Scout.
             Boo was another character that Lee associated with a mockingbird. Boo was a man who was seen by society to be dangerous. But in reality, Boo was kind ...