The symbolic use of birds by Faulk has been remarked upon by a critic, who notes that they appear at key moments in the story. In Birdsong, Faulks employs birds to communicate important messages to both the characters and the audience. An instance of this can be seen when a bird becomes trapped and attempts to break free through a window, flapping its wings against the glass, becoming entangled in the character's hair, and reaching towards their face. This particular scene not only impacts Stephens, but also serves as a portrayal of his conscience for the reader.
The bird trapped in the text is a symbol for Isabelle, while the birds on his face represent potential antagonists such as Azaire or specifically the Germans, since eagles were associated with them during the war. This gives readers a
...subtle glimpse into what will happen next and helps them understand why the characters are behaving this way at this point in the story. Birds have an important role in Birdsong, representing peace and calmness in soldiers' lives.
During an attack, there is a break in gunfire when 'Skylarks wheeled and sang high in the cloudless sky.' This symbolizes hope and life amidst the war, prompting the reader to empathize with the soldiers for their bravery and courage. It also suggests that if birds can sing in the midst of battle, victory in the war is attainable. Additionally, another interpretation may view the birds as representative of the soldiers' way of life.
The presence of 'wheeled' birds in the sky symbolizes the continuous cycle of fighting and resting, highlighting the brevity of breaks
from the front line and the scarcity of resources and harsh conditions of war. In Birdsong, birds hold great significance as they intensify the characters' emotions. Faulks compares the birds to the war itself, emphasizing that even in difficult times, people persevere regardless.
Stephen, along with other characters in the book, confronts his fear of birds. This teaches readers to value their own blessings. One possible interpretation is that Stephen's bird imagery and his successful escape from the tunnel with the canary represent a crucial turning point in the war. It symbolizes an increase in soldiers' morale and encouragement from their loved ones at home, as they gradually realized that the war would not end swiftly and its severity escalated.
Faulks's incorporation of birds in the closing remark of the book holds significance as it reflects the overall theme and elucidates the role that birds play throughout. The resurfacing and unsettling cry of these avian creatures reaches those who have managed to survive. This concluding sentence encapsulates the notion that while life progresses, certain elements persist unchanged. Elizabeth has welcomed a new child into her world, yet her inheritance remains unaltered. Meanwhile, high above in the skies, birds continue to soar despite the long-gone conclusion of war. By employing birds towards the end of his narrative, Faulks impels readers to ponder on how events such as affairs and conflicts are merely inherent aspects of any society.
- Book Summary essays
- Metaphor essays
- Reader essays
- Rhyme essays
- Literary devices essays
- Villain essays
- Books essays
- Genre essays
- Literary Criticism essays
- Writer essays
- Protagonist essays
- Simile essays
- Poem essays
- Book Report essays
- Book Review essays
- Greek Mythology essays
- Plot essays
- Tragic Hero essays
- Coming of Age essays
- Play essays
- Rhetoric essays
- Rhetorical Question essays
- Translation essays
- Understanding essays
- Reason essays
- Character essays
- Letter essays
- American Literature essays
- Literature Review essays
- Utopia essays
- Poetry Analysis essays
- Dante's Inferno essays
- Between The World and Me essays
- Incidents in The Life of a Slave Girl essays
- Flowers for Algernon essays
- Myth essays
- Everyday Use essays
- Boo Radley essays
- Genesis essays
- Richard iii essays
- Alice in Wonderland essays
- On the road essays
- Ozymandias essays
- The Nightingale essays
- Holden Caulfield essays
- Animal Farm essays
- 1984 essays
- A Hanging essays
- Shooting An Elephant essays
- A Tale Of Two Cities essays