If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Twenty-Eight
by McCauley, KyrieThe chapter opens with a quiet Monday morning scene where the protagonist wakes to the comforting smell of coffee and finds her mother patiently waiting with two mugs. Despite the early hour and still-dark sky, there is a calm intimacy as they share coffee and discuss the protagonist’s college plans. The mother reveals she knows about the daughter’s application to New York University, a choice made in quiet defiance of the father’s expectations. This moment highlights the subtle but strong bond between mother and daughter, as well as the tension between individual desires and familial pressures.
As the family prepares for the day, the atmosphere shifts from ordinary to spontaneous. The protagonist is hurriedly dressed and ushered out by her mother and sisters, who tease and joke, creating a lively and affectionate dynamic. The mother insists on a surprise, despite the protagonist’s resistance, and soon they embark on an unexpected trip to New York City. This adventure symbolizes a break from routine and an embrace of possibility, reflecting the protagonist’s yearning for independence and exploration beyond her hometown.
During the bus ride, the conversation turns nostalgic as the sisters reminisce about their family tradition of “Apple Days,” a joyful autumn ritual of apple picking and baking that once brought them together. The memory contrasts with their current reality, marked by distance and loss, especially with the absence of their grandfather. Yet, the youngest sister’s playful renaming of their trip as an “Apple Day” to the Big Apple rekindles laughter and warmth, underscoring the resilience of family bonds and the power of shared traditions to heal and connect.
The chapter closes with a tender moment between mother and daughter, as the mother reads from her favorite book, symbolizing comfort and continuity. The protagonist quietly questions the financial strain of their spontaneous journey, receiving a simple, reassuring answer about the source of the funds. This exchange encapsulates the mother’s quiet sacrifices and the unspoken support underpinning their relationship. Overall, the chapter weaves themes of family, aspiration, memory, and the courage to embrace change, setting a hopeful tone for the protagonist’s future.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter illustrate the relationship between the narrator and her mother, and what does this suggest about their dynamic?
Answer:
The chapter highlights a close and understanding relationship between the narrator and her mother. Mom’s early morning presence with coffee and her intuitive knowledge about the narrator’s college choice demonstrate a deep attentiveness and emotional connection. The gentle physical gesture of Mom nudging the narrator’s shoulder and her supportive attitude towards the narrator’s decision to apply to New York University show a nurturing and empathetic dynamic. This suggests that despite challenges, Mom is a steady source of encouragement, willing to support the narrator’s desires even when they differ from the father’s expectations.2. What significance does the “Apple Day” tradition hold in the chapter, and how does it contribute to the themes of family and change?
Answer:
The “Apple Day” tradition serves as a poignant symbol of family togetherness and past happiness. It recalls a time when the family would take a day off to pick apples, bake pies, and share joyful moments, including the involvement of Grandpa and Dad. The conversation about Apple Days reveals a sense of loss and change—Nana living far away, Grandpa’s absence, and the fading of old routines. Yet, Juniper’s playful renaming of their trip to New York City as an “Apple Day” (a nod to “The Big Apple”) injects humor and hope, suggesting that family traditions can evolve and adapt even amid change.3. How does the chapter address the theme of personal ambition versus familial expectations, particularly in the narrator’s college plans?
Answer:
The chapter explores tension between the narrator’s personal ambitions and her father’s expectations. The narrator has worked hard to maintain a perfect GPA, meeting her father’s criteria for a scholarship, yet she desires to attend New York University, a choice her father does not support. This conflict is underscored by the narrator’s admission that her decision is partly motivated by “sheer spite.” Meanwhile, her mother’s quiet support and willingness to take her on a surprise trip to New York suggest an alignment with the narrator’s aspirations. This reflects the broader theme of negotiating individual goals within the framework of family pressures and differing visions for the future.4. In what ways does the surprise trip to New York City function as a turning point or catalyst in the chapter?
Answer:
The surprise trip acts as a catalyst for change, symbolizing a break from routine and an opportunity for the narrator to explore her dreams firsthand. It represents a tangible step toward independence and self-determination, allowing her to experience the city she hopes to attend school in. The trip also rekindles family bonds through shared adventure, laughter, and nostalgic reflection on Apple Days. By choosing to forego school for a day, the family prioritizes emotional connection and exploration over immediate obligations, which may signal a shift in how they support the narrator’s growth and ambitions.5. What role does financial concern play in the chapter, and how is it addressed by the characters?
Answer:
Financial concern is an undercurrent throughout the chapter, acknowledged subtly but significantly. The narrator worries about the cost of college applications and questions how the family can afford the surprise trip, especially given recent financial tightness. Mom’s response—“Tip money”—implies resourcefulness and sacrifice, suggesting that despite constraints, she finds ways to provide meaningful experiences for her children. This interaction highlights the family’s resilience and prioritization of emotional support and opportunity, even when finances are limited, reinforcing themes of love and determination in the face of hardship.
Quotes
1. “Everything is fine,” she says, and sips her coffee. She crosses my room to a little corkboard that hangs over my desk. She unpins one of the many college brochures and brings it back to the bed. “So. This is the one?” she asks. New York University.
This quote reveals the quiet but profound moment of understanding and support between the narrator and her mother, highlighting the tension between expectations and personal choice regarding the narrator’s college plans. It sets the stage for the chapter’s theme of pursuing one’s own path despite external pressures.
2. “We decided that if you really want to live in New York, you at least have to spend a day there first, make sure you like it.”
This statement captures a pivotal turning point where the mother supports the narrator’s desire to explore a new future in New York City, emphasizing the importance of experiential confirmation before making life-changing decisions. It symbolizes a moment of family unity and adventure.
3. “We used to miss a day of school and work every autumn,” I tell her. “And we’d all go to the orchards a town over, and we’d spend the entire morning picking apples, until—”
“Until the basket was so heavy that Dad was the only one who could lift it,” Campbell says.
This passage introduces the concept of “Apple Days,” symbolizing family traditions and nostalgia for simpler, happier times. It contrasts past togetherness with current changes in family dynamics, underscoring themes of loss and adaptation.
4. “It’s just hard since Nana is so far now, and without Grandpa. He was one of our primary apple pie eaters, you know.”
This quote poignantly addresses the impact of loss within the family, connecting it to the fading of cherished traditions like Apple Days. It deepens the emotional texture of the chapter by acknowledging grief and the challenges it brings to maintaining family bonds.
5. “‘Well, it’s still an Apple Day,’ Juniper says.”
“‘It is?’ Mom asks.”
“‘Yeah,’ Juniper says. ‘The Big Apple!’”This lighthearted exchange brings warmth and hope, symbolizing how new memories and joy can be created even amid change and loss. It encapsulates the chapter’s blend of nostalgia and optimism, ending on an uplifting note that embraces both past and future.
Quotes
1. “Everything is fine,” she says, and sips her coffee. She crosses my room to a little corkboard that hangs over my desk. She unpins one of the many college brochures and brings it back to the bed. “So. This is the one?” she asks. New York University.
This quote reveals the quiet but profound moment of understanding and support between the narrator and her mother, highlighting the tension between expectations and personal choice regarding the narrator’s college plans. It sets the stage for the chapter’s theme of pursuing one’s own path despite external pressures.
2. “We decided that if you really want to live in New York, you at least have to spend a day there first, make sure you like it.”
This statement captures a pivotal turning point where the mother supports the narrator’s desire to explore a new future in New York City, emphasizing the importance of experiential confirmation before making life-changing decisions. It symbolizes a moment of family unity and adventure.
3. “We used to miss a day of school and work every autumn,” I tell her. “And we’d all go to the orchards a town over, and we’d spend the entire morning picking apples, until — ”
“Until the basket was so heavy that Dad was the only one who could lift it,” Campbell says.
This passage introduces the concept of “Apple Days,” symbolizing family traditions and nostalgia for simpler, happier times. It contrasts past togetherness with current changes in family dynamics, underscoring themes of loss and adaptation.
4. “It’s just hard since Nana is so far now, and without Grandpa. He was one of our primary apple pie eaters, you know.”
This quote poignantly addresses the impact of loss within the family, connecting it to the fading of cherished traditions like Apple Days. It deepens the emotional texture of the chapter by acknowledging grief and the challenges it brings to maintaining family bonds.
5. “‘Well, it’s still an Apple Day,’ Juniper says.”
“‘It is?’ Mom asks.”
“‘Yeah,’ Juniper says. ‘The Big Apple!’”This lighthearted exchange brings warmth and hope, symbolizing how new memories and joy can be created even amid change and loss. It encapsulates the chapter’s blend of nostalgia and optimism, ending on an uplifting note that embraces both past and future.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter illustrate the relationship between the narrator and her mother, and what does this suggest about their dynamic?
Answer:
The chapter highlights a close and understanding relationship between the narrator and her mother. Mom’s early morning presence with coffee and her intuitive knowledge about the narrator’s college choice demonstrate a deep attentiveness and emotional connection. The gentle physical gesture of Mom nudging the narrator’s shoulder and her supportive attitude towards the narrator’s decision to apply to New York University show a nurturing and empathetic dynamic. This suggests that despite challenges, Mom is a steady source of encouragement, willing to support the narrator’s desires even when they differ from the father’s expectations.
2. What significance does the “Apple Day” tradition hold in the chapter, and how does it contribute to the themes of family and change?
Answer:
The “Apple Day” tradition serves as a poignant symbol of family togetherness and past happiness. It recalls a time when the family would take a day off to pick apples, bake pies, and share joyful moments, including the involvement of Grandpa and Dad. The conversation about Apple Days reveals a sense of loss and change—Nana living far away, Grandpa’s absence, and the fading of old routines. Yet, Juniper’s playful renaming of their trip to New York City as an “Apple Day” (a nod to “The Big Apple”) injects humor and hope, suggesting that family traditions can evolve and adapt even amid change.
3. How does the chapter address the theme of personal ambition versus familial expectations, particularly in the narrator’s college plans?
Answer:
The chapter explores tension between the narrator’s personal ambitions and her father’s expectations. The narrator has worked hard to maintain a perfect GPA, meeting her father’s criteria for a scholarship, yet she desires to attend New York University, a choice her father does not support. This conflict is underscored by the narrator’s admission that her decision is partly motivated by “sheer spite.” Meanwhile, her mother’s quiet support and willingness to take her on a surprise trip to New York suggest an alignment with the narrator’s aspirations. This reflects the broader theme of negotiating individual goals within the framework of family pressures and differing visions for the future.
4. In what ways does the surprise trip to New York City function as a turning point or catalyst in the chapter?
Answer:
The surprise trip acts as a catalyst for change, symbolizing a break from routine and an opportunity for the narrator to explore her dreams firsthand. It represents a tangible step toward independence and self-determination, allowing her to experience the city she hopes to attend school in. The trip also rekindles family bonds through shared adventure, laughter, and nostalgic reflection on Apple Days. By choosing to forego school for a day, the family prioritizes emotional connection and exploration over immediate obligations, which may signal a shift in how they support the narrator’s growth and ambitions.
5. What role does financial concern play in the chapter, and how is it addressed by the characters?
Answer:
Financial concern is an undercurrent throughout the chapter, acknowledged subtly but significantly. The narrator worries about the cost of college applications and questions how the family can afford the surprise trip, especially given recent financial tightness. Mom’s response—“Tip money”—implies resourcefulness and sacrifice, suggesting that despite constraints, she finds ways to provide meaningful experiences for her children. This interaction highlights the family’s resilience and prioritization of emotional support and opportunity, even when finances are limited, reinforcing themes of love and determination in the face of hardship.
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