788 Results in the "Literary Fiction" category


    • Chapter

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Eleven Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter Eleven, the narrator reflects on the allure of brand-new notebooks, appreciating their untouched perfection and boundless potential before they become marked and filled with personal stories. This metaphor extends to the narrator’s own aspirations and challenges as she embarks on writing her first newspaper column. Despite having secured this coveted role, she struggles with the pressure of deadlines and finding a compelling theme. The local high school football team, steeped in tradition and…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Ten Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter Ten opens with a vivid portrayal of an overwhelming presence of crows in the town of Auburn, their watchful eyes seemingly observing every move of the residents. The narrator describes the birds as both a nuisance to many townsfolk and a strangely comforting constant in their lives. This recurring motif of the crows sets a tone of unease mingled with fascination, reflecting the unsettled atmosphere enveloping the narrator’s world. The chapter immediately establishes a symbolic connection between…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Nine Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter Nine of *If These Wings Could Fly*, the protagonist, Leighton, encounters Liam McNamara at lunch, where he casually joins her and Sofia at their table. Liam’s easygoing and humorous demeanor contrasts with Leighton’s guarded attitude, as she pushes away her cold tater tots and tries to maintain her focus on schoolwork and college preparations. Despite Liam’s playful banter and his defense of Leighton against a classmate’s rude behavior, she remains hesitant to engage socially, revealing…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Eight Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator in her room, struggling to focus on her calculus homework amid the rising tension downstairs. The atmosphere in the house is heavy and foreboding, as a volatile argument begins to unfold between her parents. The narrator describes a complex mix of fear and curiosity that compels her to listen closely, knowing that once the confrontation starts, it will eventually end, bringing a temporary but uneasy relief. This emotional turmoil is underscored by vivid imagery of her…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Seven Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator grappling with feelings of uncertainty and isolation, finding solace in literature, a passion inherited from her mother. While her mother cherished classic literature and poetry, the narrator now struggles with the tragic endings so common in these works, preferring the straightforward truth of journalism over romanticized grief. Despite this, she remains tethered to literature through her required class, where she is introduced to *Tess of the d’Urbervilles*. This…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Six Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter Six of "If These Wings Could Fly," the narrator and Campbell pass by Mrs. Stieg’s house on their way to the bus stop. The narrator notices a severely damaged bush in the far corner of the garden, distinct from a previously broken bush nearby. This new damage is more extreme, with the bush pulverized to the point that only disturbed soil, crushed crimson petals, and shattered branches remain. The vivid description emphasizes the extent of destruction, setting an atmosphere of tension and…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Five Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter Five delves into the complex character of Campbell Grace Barnes, portrayed as a deeply thoughtful and serious young girl whose mind remains largely inscrutable even to those closest to her. Despite her reserved nature, Campbell reveals a rare, carefree side when riding her bike through a nearby affluent neighborhood. This activity offers her a precious escape from her otherwise intense inner world, highlighting the contrast between her contemplative persona and moments of youthful freedom. The…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Four Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter Four of *If These Wings Could Fly*, the protagonist, Leighton, discovers that her senior year locker is located in the junior hallway, a subtle but stinging reminder of her outsider status. This placement excludes her from the cherished Senior Wall tradition, a social hub where seniors congregate and assert their status. Leighton reflects on the normal high school experiences she has missed due to her difficult home life, underscoring her sense of isolation. Despite her attempts to downplay the…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Three Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a contrast between the typical high school experience of summer as a time of freedom and the protagonist’s own reality, where summer offers little respite. Returning to Auburn High, the narrator finds comfort in the predictability of school life, knowing that her daughters, Campbell and Juniper, are safe and that for a few hours, normalcy prevails. This sets the tone of the chapter, emphasizing the protagonist’s struggle to maintain stability amidst personal challenges, even as…
    • Chapter

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Two Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a vivid portrayal of a morning overshadowed by the unsettling presence of crows, symbolizing an ominous atmosphere that permeates the household. The narrator, Leighton, observes the birds as a metaphor for the tension that lingers with the return of a troubled figure in her life. This return disrupts the fragile normalcy she strives to maintain, especially as she prepares for school, hoping to keep peace despite the underlying turmoil. Leighton’s relationship with her family…
    Note