If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Fifty-Nine
by McCauley, KyrieIn Chapter Fifty-Nine of *If These Wings Could Fly*, the protagonist faces a turbulent Monday morning marked by concern and emotional strain. Liam, visibly distressed, picks her up and reveals his worry after hearing unsettling news from Fiona and Sofia. His protective instincts prompt him to consider calling the police, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Despite the tension, their interaction reveals a deep bond, as Liam downplays his own disappointments and focuses on her well-being. The protagonist acknowledges the uncertainty of her plans and reflects on the paradox of fear—whether known and familiar or unknown and daunting.
The journey to school is slow and symbolic, with crows densely populating the roads, creating a surreal atmosphere that mirrors the protagonist’s internal conflict. Liam’s cautious driving through the ominous presence of the birds emphasizes the weight of unspoken fears. Upon arriving at school, the protagonist bypasses her classes, instead seeking refuge in the newspaper office where she finds comfort and support. Sofia’s immediate protective stance and encouragement to write highlight the importance of solidarity and creative expression during times of emotional upheaval.
Writing becomes a crucial outlet for the protagonist, who channels her anger and vulnerability into an essay she is determined to submit. The act of writing is both a personal catharsis and a strategic move—motivated by a desire to win a scholarship and to make her voice heard. She confronts the complexity of her hometown, Auburn, recognizing that her previous portrayal was incomplete. The town’s narrative is not solely defined by pain and neglect but is also shaped by acts of kindness, solidarity, and resilience embodied by those around her.
Ultimately, the protagonist realizes that her story is an integral part of Auburn’s fabric. Her critique and love for the town coexist, reflecting a nuanced understanding of identity and community. By acknowledging her own presence and experience within Auburn, she completes her essay with clarity and purpose. This chapter emphasizes themes of vulnerability, courage, and the power of storytelling as a means to reclaim agency and foster connection amidst adversity.
FAQs
1. How does Liam’s reaction to the protagonist’s situation illustrate his character and their relationship?
Answer:
Liam’s reaction shows a deep sense of care and concern for the protagonist. He is described as a “wreck,” worried enough to consider calling the police, which underscores how seriously he takes the situation. His concern goes beyond superficial matters, as evidenced by his indifference to the big game’s outcome, focusing instead on the protagonist’s well-being. This dynamic reveals a supportive and protective relationship, highlighting Liam’s emotional depth and reliability during a crisis.2. What is the significance of the crows covering the roads near the protagonist’s home, and how might this imagery relate to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The crows symbolize an overwhelming, pervasive presence of fear or trouble in the protagonist’s life, as they cover “every surface” and slow the journey to school. This imagery reflects the protagonist’s internal state—feeling trapped or overshadowed by problems at home. The crows’ presence may also suggest a foreboding atmosphere, reinforcing the theme of confronting difficult realities. Their abundance and the need to carefully navigate around them mirror the protagonist’s careful handling of her emotional and physical environment.3. How does the protagonist’s decision to write and submit her essay reflect her personal growth and changing perspective on her town, Auburn?
Answer:
Writing the essay represents a pivotal moment of self-assertion and empowerment. Initially, the protagonist struggled to capture the full picture of Auburn, seeing it largely through a lens of anger and pain. However, as she writes, she acknowledges the complexity of the town, recognizing both its flaws and its sources of support, such as friends like Sofia and Fiona, and family members like Liam. By including herself in the narrative, she embraces her identity as part of Auburn, demonstrating growth from isolation to integration, and transforming criticism into a more nuanced understanding.4. In what ways do the interactions between the protagonist and her friends, particularly Sofia and Fiona, highlight the importance of community support in the chapter?
Answer:
The friends’ support is crucial to the protagonist’s coping and healing process. Sofia’s protective gesture—guarding the door and turning off the lights to give her space to write—provides a safe environment for vulnerability and creativity. Fiona’s earlier involvement in helping the protagonist’s sisters also shows active care within their community. These interactions emphasize that while the protagonist faces personal struggles, she is not alone; the presence of empathetic friends offers emotional refuge and practical assistance, underscoring the theme that community can be a source of strength amidst adversity.5. What does the protagonist mean when she says her silence “benefits only one person,” and how does this realization influence her actions in the chapter?
Answer:
The phrase “silence benefits only one person” implies that by not speaking out or addressing her situation, the protagonist inadvertently allows someone—likely the source of the fear or abuse—to maintain control or power. This realization is a critical turning point that motivates her to break her silence through writing. By choosing to articulate her experiences and submit her essay, she takes an active step toward reclaiming her voice and agency. This decision reflects a growing awareness of the consequences of silence and a desire to challenge the status quo for her own and others’ sake.
Quotes
1. “I’m not sure if what I’m planning is right. There’s so much unknown. And maybe it’s awful at home, but at least that fear is known. Familiar.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s internal conflict and fear of change, highlighting the tension between enduring a painful but familiar situation versus stepping into uncertainty. It sets the emotional tone early in the chapter, framing the struggle with fear and the unknown.
2. “The drive to school takes twice as long today. All the roads near my home are covered with crows. They’re just everywhere now, covering every surface. Liam drives slowly, waiting for them to shuffle and fly away rather than risk hitting them.”
This passage uses vivid imagery of the crows to symbolize an overwhelming, suffocating presence that parallels the protagonist’s emotional state. It represents the weight of the situation and the slow, careful navigation through a difficult reality.
3. “My voice is clear and confident, and there isn’t even the hint of tears today. I just need to get the words down while I have them.”
This moment marks a turning point where the protagonist asserts control through writing, using it as a means to process anger and trauma. It reflects the power of expression and the importance of seizing the moment to tell one’s truth.
4. “This town isn’t just my grandfather’s buildings and my dad’s anger. It isn’t just people ignoring the thing right in front of them… This town is also Sofia being there when I need her, and Fiona noticing something that grown adults didn’t see and helping my sisters. And Liam being so stoic and so soft and so good.”
Here, the protagonist expands the narrative to show complexity and nuance in their community, balancing pain and neglect with acts of kindness and solidarity. It challenges a one-dimensional view and introduces a more hopeful, multifaceted perspective.
5. “Once I figure out what it was missing, the essay is easy to write. It was missing me.”
This concluding insight reveals self-empowerment and ownership of one’s story as essential to understanding and change. It encapsulates the chapter’s main message about identity, voice, and the importance of acknowledging oneself within a larger context.
Quotes
1. “I’m not sure if what I’m planning is right. There’s so much unknown. And maybe it’s awful at home, but at least that fear is known. Familiar.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s internal conflict and fear of change, highlighting the tension between enduring a painful but familiar situation versus stepping into uncertainty. It sets the emotional tone early in the chapter, framing the struggle with fear and the unknown.
2. “The drive to school takes twice as long today. All the roads near my home are covered with crows. They’re just everywhere now, covering every surface. Liam drives slowly, waiting for them to shuffle and fly away rather than risk hitting them.”
This passage uses vivid imagery of the crows to symbolize an overwhelming, suffocating presence that parallels the protagonist’s emotional state. It represents the weight of the situation and the slow, careful navigation through a difficult reality.
3. “My voice is clear and confident, and there isn’t even the hint of tears today. I just need to get the words down while I have them.”
This moment marks a turning point where the protagonist asserts control through writing, using it as a means to process anger and trauma. It reflects the power of expression and the importance of seizing the moment to tell one’s truth.
4. “This town isn’t just my grandfather’s buildings and my dad’s anger. It isn’t just people ignoring the thing right in front of them… This town is also Sofia being there when I need her, and Fiona noticing something that grown adults didn’t see and helping my sisters. And Liam being so stoic and so soft and so good.”
Here, the protagonist expands the narrative to show complexity and nuance in their community, balancing pain and neglect with acts of kindness and solidarity. It challenges a one-dimensional view and introduces a more hopeful, multifaceted perspective.
5. “Once I figure out what it was missing, the essay is easy to write. It was missing me.”
This concluding insight reveals self-empowerment and ownership of one’s story as essential to understanding and change. It encapsulates the chapter’s main message about identity, voice, and the importance of acknowledging oneself within a larger context.
— Unknown
FAQs
1. How does Liam’s reaction to the protagonist’s situation illustrate his character and their relationship?
Answer:
Liam’s reaction shows a deep sense of care and concern for the protagonist. He is described as a “wreck,” worried enough to consider calling the police, which underscores how seriously he takes the situation. His concern goes beyond superficial matters, as evidenced by his indifference to the big game’s outcome, focusing instead on the protagonist’s well-being. This dynamic reveals a supportive and protective relationship, highlighting Liam’s emotional depth and reliability during a crisis.
2. What is the significance of the crows covering the roads near the protagonist’s home, and how might this imagery relate to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The crows symbolize an overwhelming, pervasive presence of fear or trouble in the protagonist’s life, as they cover “every surface” and slow the journey to school. This imagery reflects the protagonist’s internal state—feeling trapped or overshadowed by problems at home. The crows’ presence may also suggest a foreboding atmosphere, reinforcing the theme of confronting difficult realities. Their abundance and the need to carefully navigate around them mirror the protagonist’s careful handling of her emotional and physical environment.
3. How does the protagonist’s decision to write and submit her essay reflect her personal growth and changing perspective on her town, Auburn?
Answer:
Writing the essay represents a pivotal moment of self-assertion and empowerment. Initially, the protagonist struggled to capture the full picture of Auburn, seeing it largely through a lens of anger and pain. However, as she writes, she acknowledges the complexity of the town, recognizing both its flaws and its sources of support, such as friends like Sofia and Fiona, and family members like Liam. By including herself in the narrative, she embraces her identity as part of Auburn, demonstrating growth from isolation to integration, and transforming criticism into a more nuanced understanding.
4. In what ways do the interactions between the protagonist and her friends, particularly Sofia and Fiona, highlight the importance of community support in the chapter?
Answer:
The friends’ support is crucial to the protagonist’s coping and healing process. Sofia’s protective gesture—guarding the door and turning off the lights to give her space to write—provides a safe environment for vulnerability and creativity. Fiona’s earlier involvement in helping the protagonist’s sisters also shows active care within their community. These interactions emphasize that while the protagonist faces personal struggles, she is not alone; the presence of empathetic friends offers emotional refuge and practical assistance, underscoring the theme that community can be a source of strength amidst adversity.
5. What does the protagonist mean when she says her silence “benefits only one person,” and how does this realization influence her actions in the chapter?
Answer:
The phrase “silence benefits only one person” implies that by not speaking out or addressing her situation, the protagonist inadvertently allows someone—likely the source of the fear or abuse—to maintain control or power. This realization is a critical turning point that motivates her to break her silence through writing. By choosing to articulate her experiences and submit her essay, she takes an active step toward reclaiming her voice and agency. This decision reflects a growing awareness of the consequences of silence and a desire to challenge the status quo for her own and others’ sake.
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