Atticus and one of her nicer neighbors named Miss Maudie teach Scout and Jem that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. The bird only sings and provides music to be enjoyed, and never sabotages a person’s crops. Later on, the topic of the mockingbird is brought to light again when Mr. Underwood, Maycomb’s newspaper editor, writes an article comparing the death of Tom Robinson to the murder of a mockingbird. Although a little puzzled at first, Scout grasps the concept and connects it to another case. She becomes aware of Sheriff Heck Tate’s motive when he decides not to bring Boo Radley to court for the death of Bob Ewell. She says to Atticus, “Yes sir, I understand… Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” Her maturity shines through this quote, and she finally understands why meddling around with Boo Radley’s past was such a bad idea. Everyone has the right to privacy, and if those innocent and harmless beings don’t want to be put in the spotlight, don’t publicize them. They have their reasons, and it’s none of your