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The mockingbird in “To Kill a Mockingbird” symbolizes innocent people who are persecuted by thoughtless or careless people. In the story, Boo Radley is an innocent victim of the town’s gossip and prejudice. Tom Robinson is also an innocent victim of hearsay and prejudice. Atticus tells his children it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they haven’t done anything to deserve being hurt. The people of the town have committed the sin of condemning innocent people. Tom is condemned in court and Boo is condemned by being shunned by his community.