Boo Radley & a Mockingbird

Boo Radley is symbolic of the Mockingbird because he does no harm to anyone. Atticus says, "...it is a sin to kill a mockingbird," because they are harmless and do not negatively impact a person. All they do is play music. Boo has lived alone his whole life and has never harmed people the way they think he does or would. He minds his own business and does not get up in the town's drama. Therefore, it would be a "sin" to kill him. Just as a mockingbird he does nothing to interfere with anyone. Boo may have killed Bob Ewell, but in doing so, he was doing a favor for society. Therefore, he should not be put in jail; it would be a "sin" to do so. The sheriff decided that Bob fell on his knife, instead of blaming Boo. Boo Radley is also a victim of society's prejudice, making him a mockingbird in that way as well.