Final answer:
Atticus does not teach Scout and Jem to shoot because he wants them to respect life; instead, he gives them clear rules for gun handling, emphasizing never to shoot at mockingbirds, symbolizing innocence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch does not teach his children, Scout and Jem, to shoot the guns they received for Christmas because he wants to instill in them the importance of understanding and valuing life. He believes that guns should not be used to harm innocent beings. However, Atticus does lay down clear rules for gun handling—specifying that they must never shoot at mockingbirds because they're harmless creatures that only produce beautiful music for the enjoyment of others. This rule is symbolic; it's intended to teach Scout and Jem about empathy and the importance of not harming innocent creatures or people. The idea of not shooting mockingbirds becomes a central theme in the novel, representing the injustice of harming those who are innocent.