You could argue that Atticus is like a mockingbird in that he is harmless, reserved, and makes the world a better place. He is not the character who is explicitly compared to one, though. The character who is compared to a mockingbird in the book is not Atticus, but Boo Radley.
In Chapter 30, Atticus and Heck Tate argue about whether to cover up the fact that Bob Ewell was stabbed and say he "fell on his knife." At first, Atticus is dead set against a cover-up because he believes Jem stabbed Ewell. He argues strongly that, if this is covered up, Jem will have a cloud of doubt hanging over him for the rest of his life, and also that Atticus will lose his integrity in front of his children.
Eventually, Heck Tate helps Atticus see that it wasn't Jem who stabbed Bob Ewell, but Boo Radley. Heck points out that, if the truth got out, the shy Boo would become a town celebrity. Every lady in Maycomb would come to Boo's house to bring him food. That kind of attention would destroy Boo, a fragile recluse. Heck is not willing to do this.
Atticus sees this is so, but he still can't stand the idea of his children seeing him participate in any kind of deception. He pleads with Scout, who has been listening all along, "Scout, Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. Can you possibly understand?" Scout replies, "Yes, sir, I understand. Mr. Tate was right. It'd be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn't it?"
Boo is a mockingbird because he is shy and harmless, yet fragile and in need of protection.
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