If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Fifteen
by McCauley, KyrieThe chapter opens with a serene scene of the narrator and Juniper enjoying an autumn morning in their backyard, embracing the lingering warmth of summer in Pennsylvania. While Juniper reads and the narrator juggles calculus homework and art assignments, their attention is drawn to the abundance of crows nearby. The narrator researches similar crow invasions in other towns, uncovering that migrations from Canada have led to massive flocks, sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands, causing concern and prompting expert interventions elsewhere.
Amid their quiet study, the narrator shares news of the local football team’s unexpected success, a rare bright spot in the town’s routine. The presence of the crows and their gathering behaviors prompt a conversation about the town’s wildlife management efforts, including the use of flares, loud noises, falconers, and even a crow-hunting season in other regions. This discussion reveals a tension between appreciating the birds and the harsh measures taken to control their numbers, reflecting the community’s complicated relationship with nature.
Juniper’s worry about the crows, especially concerning a crow named Joe, brings a personal dimension to the story. Her loss of a symbolic leather cuff adds a note of guilt and concern, which the narrator tries to soothe. Their exchange highlights themes of care, connection, and the emotional ties people form with animals. The narrator’s attempt to distract Juniper with a cherished book of fairy tales introduces a moment of warmth and nostalgia, bridging past and present through shared stories.
The chapter closes with Juniper engaging creatively by inscribing her name in the book and writing letters to Joe, imagining a dialogue with the intelligent crow inspired by the fables. Though skeptical about receiving replies, she hopes for signs of Joe’s presence, symbolizing a hopeful and imaginative bond between human and nature. This intimate interaction underscores the chapter’s blend of everyday life, environmental reflection, and the enduring power of storytelling.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter illustrate the relationship between the narrator and Juniper, and what does this suggest about their characters?
Answer:
The chapter depicts the narrator and Juniper sharing a quiet morning together, engaging in activities like reading, homework, and observing crows. Their interaction is warm and supportive—the narrator comforts Juniper over her lost bracelet and shares personal belongings like a book and pen. Juniper’s playful act of adding her name to the book and writing letters to Joe shows her imaginative and affectionate nature, while the narrator’s protective and encouraging attitude highlights a caring and responsible personality. Together, their dynamic suggests a close sibling or familial bond characterized by trust, shared interests, and emotional support.2. What significance do the crows hold in the chapter, and how do they contribute to the atmosphere and themes?
Answer:
Crows play a central symbolic and thematic role in the chapter. They are omnipresent, forming the “new Auburn Township soundtrack” with their cawing, and their presence is linked to a larger phenomenon affecting multiple towns. The narrator’s research reveals that large crow populations have caused concern in other places, leading to measures like hunting and hazing. This introduces themes of nature versus human control, coexistence, and environmental impact. The crows also evoke a slightly eerie or mysterious atmosphere, contrasting with the warmth of the backyard scene, and provoke reflection on how communities respond to natural disruptions.3. Analyze the narrator’s feelings toward the town’s football team winning all their games. What does this reveal about the narrator’s perspective on the town and its priorities?
Answer:
The narrator finds it “weird” that the football team is winning all their games, which is notable because Auburn takes football very seriously. This reaction suggests a subtle skepticism or detachment from the town’s sports culture, hinting that the narrator may not be fully invested in or impressed by the town’s collective enthusiasm for football success. It reveals that the narrator is observant and perhaps critical of local priorities, valuing other concerns—like the crow situation or personal relationships—more than communal sports victories.4. How does the chapter address the theme of rules and rebellion, and what does this reveal about the narrator’s personality?
Answer:
The narrator consciously breaks a town ordinance by feeding raisins to the crows, despite knowing it is against the rules. This rebellious act is framed positively, as “a rebel with a cause,” showing the narrator’s willingness to challenge authority when it conflicts with personal values—here, compassion for the crows. This behavior reveals a personality that is independent, empathetic, and willing to bend rules in favor of kindness or principle. It also contrasts with the town’s more rigid or traditional stance, highlighting a tension between individual morality and community regulations.5. What role does the motif of “letters to Joe” play in the chapter, and how does it deepen our understanding of Juniper’s character and her relationship with the natural world?
Answer:
Juniper’s act of writing letters to Joe, presumably a crow or animal, reflects her imaginative and hopeful nature. Although she dismisses the idea of receiving replies as “stupid,” she believes that Joe might leave gifts in response, showing her desire for connection and communication with the natural world. This motif deepens our understanding of Juniper as someone who sees animals as intelligent and worthy of friendship, highlighting her empathy and innocence. It also introduces a magical or whimsical element to the narrative, suggesting that the natural world holds mystery and meaning beyond what is immediately visible.
Quotes
1. “Experts estimate the murder of crows has reached fifty thousand or more. Birds are still arriving by the thousands as they migrate south from Canada.”
This quote highlights the alarming scale of the crow migration phenomenon affecting multiple towns, establishing the chapter’s focus on the ecological and communal impact of this unusual event.
2. “I like watching the crows flutter off the fence and land near us to snatch up the raisins. I like how they hop around. And honestly, I like breaking a rule for once. I’ll break the hell out of Auburn Township Ordinance 3417. I’m a rebel with a cause. Filling up Corvidae bellies, one raisin at a time.”
Here, the narrator reveals a personal connection and empathy toward the crows, juxtaposing youthful rebellion with compassion, which adds emotional depth to the narrative and underscores a theme of coexistence.
3. “It says here that this town hired wildlife experts to try to scare them off. Flares, loud noises. They brought in falconers to haze the crows. With live hawks. They also opened up a crow-hunting season for several weeks.”
This passage outlines the drastic measures communities have taken to control the crow population, illustrating the tension between human interests and wildlife preservation.
4. “‘I hope they don’t do that here,’ she says. ‘The crows aren’t that bad. And I’d be so worried about Joe.’”
This quote captures the personal stakes and emotional concern for “Joe,” a crow presumably close to the characters, reflecting the broader theme of individual relationships within environmental challenges.
5. “‘I catch sight of the first two words she writes at the top of the page: Dear Joe.’ … ‘Yeah, well, the animals in these stories are really smart, and I think Joe is smart, too, so I’ve been writing him letters.’”
This moment reveals a childlike belief in communication and connection with nature, emphasizing hope and innocence amidst the unsettling backdrop of the crow invasion.