What page in To Kill A Mockingbird is the quote, "I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the...

In Chapter 10, on page 119 of the Grand Central Publishing Edition of To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus says,

"I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird (Lee 119).

Miss Maudie elaborates on why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird by telling Jem and Scout that mockingbirds do nothing except make beautiful music for people to hear. Harper Lee uses mockingbirds to symbolize any innocent beings throughout the novel. When Atticus tells his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, he is essentially teaching them a lesson on how to treat innocent people. There are several characters throughout the novel which can be considered symbolic mockingbirds. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are mockingbirds because they are helpful, innocent individuals who do not harm anyone. Atticus defends Tom Robinson against the prejudiced community of Maycomb, which correlates with his belief that innocent beings should be respected and treated with compassion. His actions are congruent with the adage that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.