If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Fifty-Two
by McCauley, KyrieIn this chapter, the narrative unfolds within the quiet but uneasy atmosphere of a home during a harsh winter night. The protagonist assumes the role of comforter, engaging in playful distractions with Juniper to ease the tension that lingers in the house. Through storytelling, a tale of a girl made of flowers is shared, symbolizing gentle strength and the sacrifices made in love. The flower girl’s relationship with an oak tree reflects themes of giving, support, and the gradual depletion of one’s own vitality in the name of care for another, underscoring the emotional depth of the moment.
As the children fall asleep, the protagonist tends to them and then turns attention to practical matters, scanning the local newspaper for job and housing opportunities. The limited options highlight the protagonist’s struggle and concern for the future, especially regarding the possibility of pursuing college. This moment conveys a sense of responsibility and the weighing of difficult choices, emphasizing the challenges faced by the family in their current circumstances and the desire to provide stability and hope despite uncertainty.
The discovery of Campbell’s notebook reveals a quiet but profound form of support: she has meticulously saved every column the protagonist has written, demonstrating loyalty and encouragement. However, the notebook also contains numerous cutouts of police blotter reports, which introduces an undercurrent of anxiety and foreshadowing. Campbell’s habit of collecting these reports suggests a preoccupation with safety and the looming presence of danger, reflecting the tension and vulnerability felt by the characters as they navigate their precarious lives.
The chapter closes with a poignant exchange in darkness, where the protagonist confronts Campbell about the significance of the police reports. Campbell’s response—that one day they will appear in those reports, either for a positive or tragic reason—evokes a chilling sense of foreboding. This moment encapsulates the fragile hope and fear intertwined in their existence, leaving the reader with a powerful impression of the characters’ resilience amidst uncertainty and the haunting possibility of what the future might hold.
FAQs
1. How does the author use the metaphor of the “girl made of flowers” to reflect the emotional dynamics between the characters or themes in the chapter?
Answer:
The “girl made of flowers” metaphor illustrates a complex emotional dynamic of giving and self-sacrifice within relationships. The flower girl, soft yet strong, shares her beauty freely but eventually becomes consumed by the needs of the oak tree, who symbolizes stability and protection. This reflects themes of selflessness and the cost of emotional labor, suggesting that excessive giving without reciprocity leads to personal depletion. Within the chapter, this metaphor parallels the characters’ experiences—particularly the narrator’s sense of responsibility and care for others, as well as the tension between protection and personal well-being. It evokes the struggle of maintaining one’s identity and strength while supporting loved ones in difficult circumstances.2. What role do the police blotter clippings play in the chapter, and how do they contribute to the development of Campbell’s character?
Answer:
The police blotter clippings serve as a subtle but significant symbol of Campbell’s mindset and concerns. By saving these mundane yet telling local police reports, Campbell reveals a preoccupation with safety, order, and possibly a need to understand or anticipate danger. It reflects her quiet vigilance and the underlying tension in their lives, as well as her support for the narrator’s work by preserving the columns. This habit suggests Campbell’s awareness of their precarious situation and foreshadows potential future events involving law enforcement. It deepens her character by showing her as thoughtful, observant, and emotionally invested in the wellbeing of their family and community.3. How does the chapter illustrate the theme of uncertainty and fear in the characters’ lives? Provide examples from the text.
Answer:
The theme of uncertainty and fear is woven through the chapter’s atmosphere and dialogue. The house is described as “ill at ease,” with “walls more shadowed than usual” and the winter wind causing it to creak, creating a sense of unease. The narrator’s role of reassuring and distracting the children underscores an effort to shield them from this fear. Campbell’s collection of police blotter clippings and her ominous statement about someday “being in there” captures a looming threat—either safety through justice or tragedy. The narrator’s imagined obituary and the flash of the crawl space amplify this dread. Together, these elements convey a palpable tension and the characters’ struggle to find security amidst an uncertain, possibly dangerous reality.4. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of protection versus vulnerability? How do the characters embody this tension?
Answer:
Protection versus vulnerability is a central tension in the chapter, explored through both metaphor and action. The oak tree in the flower girl story represents protection and stability, offering shade and security. However, this protection comes at the cost of the flower girl’s vitality, highlighting vulnerability beneath apparent safety. Similarly, the narrator’s role involves protecting the children emotionally—telling stories, playing games, and comforting them in the dark—while internally grappling with fears and uncertainties. Campbell’s guarded behavior, shown by her collection of police reports and quiet support, also embodies this tension. The characters are simultaneously caretakers and vulnerable individuals, navigating the delicate balance between shielding loved ones and confronting their own fears.5. How might the narrator’s reflection on the job listings and housing options inform readers about their current life situation and future aspirations?
Answer:
The narrator’s attention to job listings and housing options reveals a practical concern for stability and survival, indicating that their current life situation is uncertain and possibly precarious. The circled listings for the library, law firm receptionist, and diner show a search for accessible, immediate employment, suggesting financial strain or transition. The mention of limited housing options, including renting spaces over garages or extra rooms, further emphasizes a need for affordable, flexible living arrangements. The narrator’s contemplation of the essay contest and the difficulty of college aspirations underscore a tension between immediate needs and longer-term goals. This reflects a desire to improve their circumstances despite obstacles, highlighting resilience and hope amid hardship.
Quotes
1. “IN THE DARKNESS INSIDE THE ARMOIRE, we come home to each other. Things are quiet tonight, but it is not calm. It is disquiet. The house feels ill at ease with itself, the walls more shadowed than usual.”
This opening sets a tone of unease and emotional tension, reflecting the chapter’s atmosphere and the characters’ internal states. It introduces the theme of seeking comfort amid uncertainty.
2. “One day, the flower girl fell in love with a man who was like an oak tree. Solid and strong. He offered her shade, protection from the harsher elements. Most important, he let her be still. She sunk her roots deep into the earth by his side. She flourished, blooming even larger and more beautiful petals. But then the oak tree started to lose its leaves, and the girl gave him her flowers in their place. She gave and she gave, and he took them all, not seeing the way she wilted without them.”
This metaphorical story captures the complexities of love and sacrifice, illustrating how giving too much without reciprocation can lead to personal depletion. It reflects key emotional dynamics in the chapter.
3. “Every week, local police highlights get printed in our paper. And Campbell has been cutting them out, saving them here. There are dozens of them.”
This reveals Campbell’s quiet preoccupation with the local police reports, hinting at a deeper concern or connection to unfolding events, and introduces a motif of vigilance and foreboding in the narrative.
4. “‘One day we’ll be in there,’ she says, and all of the little hairs on my arms stand up. ‘And it will either mean something really good happened, like his arrest, and we’re finally safe, or it’ll mean something really, really bad happened.’”
This poignant statement encapsulates the chapter’s tension between hope and fear, highlighting the uncertainty about the future and the stakes involved for the characters.
5. “There’s a flash of the crawl space in my mind. It feels like a premonition, and it makes me sick. I imagine the little block newspaper letters that I love so much betraying me, writing my obituary.”
This closing reflection links the character’s love for the newspaper with a chilling sense of impending doom, underscoring the chapter’s themes of vulnerability and forewarning.