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    If These Wings Could Fly

    by McCauley, Kyrie
    If These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley is a lyrical young adult novel that explores the complexities of family violence through the story of seventeen-year-old Leighton. As she starts her senior year, Leighton struggles to protect her two younger sisters while coping with her father’s ongoing abusive behavior. The narrative incorporates elements of magical realism, using the presence of thousands of crows to underscore themes of trauma, resilience, and hope.
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    If These Wings Could Fly

    Chapter Seventeen

    by McCauley, Kyrie

    The chap­ter opens with the pro­tag­o­nist strug­gling to focus amid a tense and stress­ful week­end at home, where unre­solved fam­i­ly issues weigh heav­i­ly on her mind. She jug­gles a large stack of print­ed research on crow myths and folk­lore from var­i­ous cul­tures and his­tor­i­cal peri­ods, indica­tive of her ded­i­ca­tion to a demand­ing extracur­ric­u­lar project. The per­va­sive ten­sion in her house­hold, com­pound­ed by recent prob­lems such as a lost con­struc­tion bid and a bro­ken bike, cre­ates an atmos­phere so thick with wor­ry that it feels suf­fo­cat­ing, affect­ing her abil­i­ty to con­cen­trate and func­tion nor­mal­ly.

    An acci­den­tal col­li­sion with Liam, a famil­iar class­mate and foot­ball play­er, inter­rupts her fraught thoughts. Their ensu­ing con­ver­sa­tion reveals a bud­ding friend­ship ground­ed in mutu­al respect and shared aca­d­e­m­ic ambi­tions. Despite their dif­fer­ent social roles—Liam bal­anc­ing sports and school­work, and the pro­tag­o­nist immersed in journalism—they find com­mon ground in their col­lege aspi­ra­tions. Their easy ban­ter and Liam’s gen­uine com­pli­ments high­light a grow­ing con­nec­tion, hint­ing at deep­er feel­ings beneath the sur­face.

    As they reach the news­room, Liam’s offer to be a sup­port­ive lis­ten­er under­scores his kind­ness and under­stand­ing, con­trast­ing with the protagonist’s guard­ed demeanor. Though she is tempt­ed to con­fide in him, the weight of her per­son­al responsibilities—particularly her com­mit­ment to her younger sisters—prevents her from ful­ly open­ing up. Her hon­est admis­sion about the com­plex­i­ties of her life and the sac­ri­fices she must make adds emo­tion­al depth to the nar­ra­tive, illus­trat­ing the chal­lenges she faces beyond school.

    The chap­ter clos­es on a poignant note, with Liam express­ing empa­thy through his own fam­i­ly expe­ri­ence, yet respect­ing her bound­aries. The protagonist’s inter­nal strug­gle between desire for con­nec­tion and duty to fam­i­ly res­onates strong­ly, empha­siz­ing her resilience and matu­ri­ty. Ulti­mate­ly, she choos­es to pri­or­i­tize her sib­lings’ needs over per­son­al rela­tion­ships, rein­forc­ing the theme of sac­ri­fice and respon­si­bil­i­ty that per­me­ates the chap­ter.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the chapter illustrate the impact of family tension on the protagonist’s daily life and emotional state?

      Answer:
      The chapter vividly portrays the heavy tension in the protagonist’s home, describing it as a pervasive force that fills the house so densely it becomes difficult to breathe. This tension stems from multiple stressors, including family arguments, a lost construction bid, and concerns about Campbell’s bike. The protagonist’s blurred vision and difficulty focusing on reading reflect her exhaustion and emotional strain. The pressure is so intense it affects her physical coordination, as shown when she accidentally collides with Liam. Overall, the chapter uses sensory descriptions and the protagonist’s scattered thoughts to convey how deeply family stress affects her mental and physical well-being.

      2. What role does the relationship between the protagonist and Liam play in this chapter, and how does it contribute to the protagonist’s character development?

      Answer:
      Liam serves as a source of both intellectual companionship and emotional support for the protagonist. Their interactions reveal a budding friendship built on mutual respect and shared academic ambitions, contrasting with the protagonist’s otherwise stressful and complicated personal life. Liam’s offer to listen and his understanding response to her indirect explanation about her family responsibilities highlight his empathy. This relationship exposes the protagonist’s vulnerability and longing for connection, as seen in her daydream about going out with him. It also shows her internal conflict—her desire for normal teenage experiences weighed against her familial obligations—thus deepening our understanding of her character.

      3. Analyze how the theme of responsibility versus personal desire is portrayed in the protagonist’s decision-making in this chapter.

      Answer:
      The chapter presents a clear tension between the protagonist’s personal desires and her sense of responsibility. Although she likes Liam and entertains the idea of a romantic relationship, she ultimately prioritizes her family duties, especially toward her sisters, Campbell and Juniper. Her reluctance to fully disclose her circumstances to Liam underscores the complexity and heaviness of her responsibilities. The protagonist acknowledges that while she does not need Liam in the same way her sisters need her, she is willing to sacrifice personal happiness to fulfill her caregiving role. This dynamic emphasizes the theme of self-sacrifice and the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with familial obligations.

      4. How does the chapter use symbolism, such as the stack of papers about crow myths, to enhance the narrative or character insight?

      Answer:
      The stack of papers containing crow myths and folklore symbolizes the protagonist’s quest for meaning and understanding amid chaos. Crows, often associated with mystery, transformation, and sometimes burdens or omens, parallel the protagonist’s own complex situation. Their presence in stories across cultures and history suggests the universality of struggle and the human search for symbolism in difficult times. The protagonist’s intense focus on these myths, despite her exhaustion, reflects her attempt to find order or insight through storytelling, perhaps as a coping mechanism. This symbolism deepens the narrative by linking her personal turmoil to broader human experiences of hardship and resilience.

      5. If you were to advise the protagonist on managing her emotional and academic pressures while caring for her siblings, what strategies might be effective based on the chapter’s context?

      Answer:
      Given the protagonist’s heavy responsibilities and stress, effective strategies might include seeking support from trusted adults or school counselors to share her burdens and explore resources for her family. Time management techniques could help balance academic work with caregiving, such as prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals. Building a support network among friends like Liam, who offers to listen, could provide emotional relief. Additionally, engaging in brief self-care practices to reduce exhaustion—such as mindfulness or short breaks—might improve her focus and well-being. The chapter suggests that while the protagonist is resilient, accepting help and creating boundaries may be critical for sustaining her health and responsibilities.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Tension like that works its way into every nook of the house, until it feels small and tight and so full you can barely breathe with all of that worry packed inside the walls.”

      This quote captures the pervasive and suffocating atmosphere of stress that dominates the protagonist’s home life, setting the emotional tone of the chapter and illustrating how external pressures infiltrate personal space.

      2. “Crows have been used as symbols for as long as we’ve told stories.”

      This line highlights the thematic significance of crows within the chapter, linking cultural mythology to the protagonist’s research and suggesting a broader connection between storytelling, symbolism, and human experience.

      3. “I like how familiar he is to me now. How I’m starting to think of him as a friend.”

      This moment marks a key turning point in the chapter, revealing the developing relationship between the protagonist and Liam, and introducing a personal connection that contrasts with the protagonist’s otherwise tense environment.

      4. “I do like you, Liam. If things were different, I’d love to go out with you. But my life is a little more complicated than it might appear here at school. I have sisters, and they, ah, they really need me.”

      This heartfelt confession reveals the protagonist’s internal conflict and sense of responsibility, underscoring the chapter’s themes of personal sacrifice and complicated family dynamics.

      5. “Because the truth is that I don’t need Liam, but Campbell and Juniper still need me.”

      The concluding line powerfully summarizes the protagonist’s priorities and motivations, emphasizing the weight of familial duty over personal desires and framing the emotional core of the chapter’s narrative.

    Quotes

    1. “Tension like that works its way into every nook of the house, until it feels small and tight and so full you can barely breathe with all of that worry packed inside the walls.”

    This quote captures the pervasive and suffocating atmosphere of stress that dominates the protagonist’s home life, setting the emotional tone of the chapter and illustrating how external pressures infiltrate personal space.

    2. “Crows have been used as symbols for as long as we’ve told stories.”

    This line highlights the thematic significance of crows within the chapter, linking cultural mythology to the protagonist’s research and suggesting a broader connection between storytelling, symbolism, and human experience.

    3. “I like how familiar he is to me now. How I’m starting to think of him as a friend.”

    This moment marks a key turning point in the chapter, revealing the developing relationship between the protagonist and Liam, and introducing a personal connection that contrasts with the protagonist’s otherwise tense environment.

    4. “I do like you, Liam. If things were different, I’d love to go out with you. But my life is a little more complicated than it might appear here at school. I have sisters, and they, ah, they really need me.”

    This heartfelt confession reveals the protagonist’s internal conflict and sense of responsibility, underscoring the chapter’s themes of personal sacrifice and complicated family dynamics.

    5. “Because the truth is that I don’t need Liam, but Campbell and Juniper still need me.”

    The concluding line powerfully summarizes the protagonist’s priorities and motivations, emphasizing the weight of familial duty over personal desires and framing the emotional core of the chapter’s narrative.

    FAQs

    1. How does the chapter illustrate the impact of family tension on the protagonist’s daily life and emotional state?

    Answer:
    The chapter vividly portrays the heavy tension in the protagonist’s home, describing it as a pervasive force that fills the house so densely it becomes difficult to breathe. This tension stems from multiple stressors, including family arguments, a lost construction bid, and concerns about Campbell’s bike. The protagonist’s blurred vision and difficulty focusing on reading reflect her exhaustion and emotional strain. The pressure is so intense it affects her physical coordination, as shown when she accidentally collides with Liam. Overall, the chapter uses sensory descriptions and the protagonist’s scattered thoughts to convey how deeply family stress affects her mental and physical well-being.

    2. What role does the relationship between the protagonist and Liam play in this chapter, and how does it contribute to the protagonist’s character development?

    Answer:
    Liam serves as a source of both intellectual companionship and emotional support for the protagonist. Their interactions reveal a budding friendship built on mutual respect and shared academic ambitions, contrasting with the protagonist’s otherwise stressful and complicated personal life. Liam’s offer to listen and his understanding response to her indirect explanation about her family responsibilities highlight his empathy. This relationship exposes the protagonist’s vulnerability and longing for connection, as seen in her daydream about going out with him. It also shows her internal conflict—her desire for normal teenage experiences weighed against her familial obligations—thus deepening our understanding of her character.

    3. Analyze how the theme of responsibility versus personal desire is portrayed in the protagonist’s decision-making in this chapter.

    Answer:
    The chapter presents a clear tension between the protagonist’s personal desires and her sense of responsibility. Although she likes Liam and entertains the idea of a romantic relationship, she ultimately prioritizes her family duties, especially toward her sisters, Campbell and Juniper. Her reluctance to fully disclose her circumstances to Liam underscores the complexity and heaviness of her responsibilities. The protagonist acknowledges that while she does not need Liam in the same way her sisters need her, she is willing to sacrifice personal happiness to fulfill her caregiving role. This dynamic emphasizes the theme of self-sacrifice and the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with familial obligations.

    4. How does the chapter use symbolism, such as the stack of papers about crow myths, to enhance the narrative or character insight?

    Answer:
    The stack of papers containing crow myths and folklore symbolizes the protagonist’s quest for meaning and understanding amid chaos. Crows, often associated with mystery, transformation, and sometimes burdens or omens, parallel the protagonist’s own complex situation. Their presence in stories across cultures and history suggests the universality of struggle and the human search for symbolism in difficult times. The protagonist’s intense focus on these myths, despite her exhaustion, reflects her attempt to find order or insight through storytelling, perhaps as a coping mechanism. This symbolism deepens the narrative by linking her personal turmoil to broader human experiences of hardship and resilience.

    5. If you were to advise the protagonist on managing her emotional and academic pressures while caring for her siblings, what strategies might be effective based on the chapter’s context?

    Answer:
    Given the protagonist’s heavy responsibilities and stress, effective strategies might include seeking support from trusted adults or school counselors to share her burdens and explore resources for her family. Time management techniques could help balance academic work with caregiving, such as prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals. Building a support network among friends like Liam, who offers to listen, could provide emotional relief. Additionally, engaging in brief self-care practices to reduce exhaustion—such as mindfulness or short breaks—might improve her focus and well-being. The chapter suggests that while the protagonist is resilient, accepting help and creating boundaries may be critical for sustaining her health and responsibilities.

    Note