Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story
    Cover of If These Wings Could Fly
    FantasyFictionLiterary FictionYoung Adult

    If These Wings Could Fly

    by McCauley, Kyrie
    If These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley is a lyrical young adult novel that explores the complexities of family violence through the story of seventeen-year-old Leighton. As she starts her senior year, Leighton struggles to protect her two younger sisters while coping with her father’s ongoing abusive behavior. The narrative incorporates elements of magical realism, using the presence of thousands of crows to underscore themes of trauma, resilience, and hope.
    PreviousNext
    If These Wings Could Fly

    Chapter Five

    by McCauley, Kyrie

    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 nar­ra­tive ten­sion aris­es when Mrs. Stieg, a kind­ly but judg­men­tal elder­ly neigh­bor, con­fronts the fam­i­ly about dam­age to her prized rose gar­den caused by Camp­bell and her most­ly male friends. Mrs. Stieg’s dis­ap­proval of Campbell’s choice of com­pan­ions under­scores themes of gen­der expec­ta­tions and social scruti­ny. The protagonist’s defense of Campbell’s friend­ships as sim­ply “friends” rather than con­form­ing to tra­di­tion­al gen­der roles illus­trates a sub­tle chal­lenge to soci­etal norms.

    In response to the gar­den inci­dent, Camp­bell and her sis­ter take respon­si­bil­i­ty by agree­ing to help repair the dam­age ear­ly the next morn­ing. The detailed descrip­tion of their labo­ri­ous effort to clean up the thorny bush­es, despite the phys­i­cal pain inflict­ed by the thorns, sym­bol­izes the strug­gle with­in Campbell’s character—a blend of vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty and resilience. The rose bush, with its beau­ty and inher­ent defens­es, serves as a metaphor for Camp­bell her­self, sug­gest­ing that nur­tur­ing her will be a dif­fi­cult but nec­es­sary endeav­or.

    The chap­ter clos­es with Mrs. Stieg’s grudg­ing accep­tance of their apol­o­gy and a cau­tion­ary mes­sage to Camp­bell about respect­ing elders and the con­se­quences of reck­less behav­ior. Campbell’s qui­et acknowl­edg­ment of this advice, cou­pled with the narrator’s inter­nal skep­ti­cism, adds com­plex­i­ty to the story’s dynam­ic. Over­all, the chap­ter explores themes of iden­ti­ty, respon­si­bil­i­ty, and the often-painful process of grow­ing up with­in a com­mu­ni­ty that holds firm expec­ta­tions.

    Down­load PDF Sum­ma­ry

    FAQs

    • 1. How is Campbell Grace Barnes characterized in this chapter, and what role does her bicycle play in her life?

      Answer:
      Campbell Grace Barnes is portrayed as a serious, thoughtful, and somewhat enigmatic thirteen-year-old girl. She is deeply introspective, often lost in her own thoughts, which makes her mind likened to the “Mariana Trench”—deep and largely inaccessible even to those close to her. Despite this intensity, she retains moments of childhood freedom, particularly when she rides her bicycle. The bike represents a cherished escape where Campbell is “not thinking,” allowing her to enjoy carefree moments with her friends. This contrast highlights her complexity: a thinker who needs outlets for spontaneity and joy. The bicycle is almost as important to her as family, symbolizing independence and reprieve from her otherwise serious demeanor.

      2. What conflict arises between Campbell’s family and Mrs. Stieg, and how does this reflect the themes of misunderstanding and community relations?

      Answer:
      The conflict arises when Mrs. Stieg confronts Campbell’s family about damage to her prized “Mister Lincoln” roses, which were trampled by Campbell and her mostly boy friends while biking through Mrs. Stieg’s garden. Mrs. Stieg disapproves of Campbell’s choice of friends and subtly blames her for the damage, suggesting a lack of proper behavior or respect. This tension reflects themes of misunderstanding and judgment between generations and neighbors. Mrs. Stieg’s initial reluctance to help when the family needed assistance contrasts with her expectation of accountability from Campbell’s family, revealing a complicated dynamic where respect and community support are uneven. The incident underscores how assumptions about youth behavior and gender roles can strain relationships within a community.

      3. Analyze how the interaction between Campbell, her sister, and Mrs. Stieg during the garden cleanup serves as a metaphor for Campbell’s personality and challenges.

      Answer:
      The garden cleanup, particularly the damaged rose bush with its “built-in defense system” of thorns, serves as a metaphor for Campbell herself. Like the roses, Campbell is portrayed as resilient but guarded, prone to drawing “blood” in the form of emotional or physical scars. The thorns symbolize the protective barriers she maintains, reflecting her serious and sometimes difficult nature. The sisters’ efforts to repair the bush also mirror their attempts to navigate and mend community tensions caused by Campbell’s actions. The metaphor emphasizes the idea that growth and healing are possible but require patience and care—just as Campbell must balance her strong, independent spirit with respect for others and the consequences of her actions.

      4. How does the chapter explore the theme of growing up and the tension between childhood freedom and responsibility?

      Answer:
      The chapter explores growing up through Campbell’s dual existence as a serious thinker and a girl who still seeks moments of childhood freedom, especially when riding her bike. The tension between freedom and responsibility is central: Campbell enjoys the autonomy of biking with friends and ignoring helmet laws, embodying youthful rebellion and joy. Yet, this freedom leads to consequences, such as the damage to Mrs. Stieg’s roses, which forces Campbell and her sister to confront responsibility. The garden cleanup represents a rite of passage, where Campbell learns that actions have repercussions and that respect for others is part of maturity. This balance between independence and accountability is a core aspect of growing up depicted in the chapter.

      5. What role does the narrator’s perspective play in shaping our understanding of Campbell and the events in this chapter?

      Answer:
      The narrator, Campbell’s sister Leighton, offers a deeply personal and nuanced perspective that shapes our understanding of Campbell and the unfolding events. Leighton admires Campbell’s complexity but also admits to not fully grasping her sister’s inner world, comparing it to the “Mariana Trench.” This viewpoint provides insight into Campbell’s seriousness and secretive nature while highlighting the sisterly bond and occasional tensions between them. Leighton’s observations about the bike, the garden incident, and Mrs. Stieg’s attitudes reveal the social dynamics and family challenges from an insider’s view. Her blend of empathy, skepticism, and protectiveness helps readers appreciate Campbell’s multifaceted character and the broader themes of family, community, and growth.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Most of the time, I have no clue what Campbell is thinking. I know her better than I know anyone, but her mind is the Mariana Trench, and there are depths I’ll never see.”

      This quote captures the complex and enigmatic nature of Campbell’s character, emphasizing the deep inner life she harbors that remains largely inaccessible even to those closest to her. It sets the tone for understanding Campbell’s introspective seriousness throughout the chapter.

      2. “Campbell on her bike is not thinking. And that is good for her.”

      Here, the author highlights a rare moment of freedom and release for Campbell, contrasting her usual intense thoughtfulness with the unburdened joy she experiences while riding her bike. This moment symbolizes a necessary escape and balance in her life.

      3. “Why roses? Of all the flowers someone could obsess over, why choose one with a built-in defense system? It would be like trying to domesticate a garden full of Campbells—a constant battle, and one likely to draw blood.”

      This metaphor poignantly reflects Campbell’s personality—beautiful yet guarded and fiercely independent—illustrating the challenges others face in trying to understand or ‘tame’ her. It is a key insight into how her character is perceived and the chapter’s thematic exploration of resilience and complexity.

      4. “Running wild around this town isn’t going to get you very far. You have to respect your elders.”

      Mrs. Stieg’s admonition to Campbell encapsulates the tension between youthful rebellion and societal expectations. This quote marks a crucial interaction that underscores the conflicts Campbell navigates between her own freedom and the judgments of the community around her.

    Quotes

    1. “Most of the time, I have no clue what Campbell is thinking. I know her better than I know anyone, but her mind is the Mariana Trench, and there are depths I’ll never see.”

    This quote captures the complex and enigmatic nature of Campbell’s character, emphasizing the deep inner life she harbors that remains largely inaccessible even to those closest to her. It sets the tone for understanding Campbell’s introspective seriousness throughout the chapter.

    2. “Campbell on her bike is not thinking. And that is good for her.”

    Here, the author highlights a rare moment of freedom and release for Campbell, contrasting her usual intense thoughtfulness with the unburdened joy she experiences while riding her bike. This moment symbolizes a necessary escape and balance in her life.

    3. “Why roses? Of all the flowers someone could obsess over, why choose one with a built-in defense system? It would be like trying to domesticate a garden full of Campbells—a constant battle, and one likely to draw blood.”

    This metaphor poignantly reflects Campbell’s personality—beautiful yet guarded and fiercely independent—illustrating the challenges others face in trying to understand or ‘tame’ her. It is a key insight into how her character is perceived and the chapter’s thematic exploration of resilience and complexity.

    4. “Running wild around this town isn’t going to get you very far. You have to respect your elders.”

    Mrs. Stieg’s admonition to Campbell encapsulates the tension between youthful rebellion and societal expectations. This quote marks a crucial interaction that underscores the conflicts Campbell navigates between her own freedom and the judgments of the community around her.

    FAQs

    1. How is Campbell Grace Barnes characterized in this chapter, and what role does her bicycle play in her life?

    Answer:
    Campbell Grace Barnes is portrayed as a serious, thoughtful, and somewhat enigmatic thirteen-year-old girl. She is deeply introspective, often lost in her own thoughts, which makes her mind likened to the “Mariana Trench”—deep and largely inaccessible even to those close to her. Despite this intensity, she retains moments of childhood freedom, particularly when she rides her bicycle. The bike represents a cherished escape where Campbell is “not thinking,” allowing her to enjoy carefree moments with her friends. This contrast highlights her complexity: a thinker who needs outlets for spontaneity and joy. The bicycle is almost as important to her as family, symbolizing independence and reprieve from her otherwise serious demeanor.

    2. What conflict arises between Campbell’s family and Mrs. Stieg, and how does this reflect the themes of misunderstanding and community relations?

    Answer:
    The conflict arises when Mrs. Stieg confronts Campbell’s family about damage to her prized “Mister Lincoln” roses, which were trampled by Campbell and her mostly boy friends while biking through Mrs. Stieg’s garden. Mrs. Stieg disapproves of Campbell’s choice of friends and subtly blames her for the damage, suggesting a lack of proper behavior or respect. This tension reflects themes of misunderstanding and judgment between generations and neighbors. Mrs. Stieg’s initial reluctance to help when the family needed assistance contrasts with her expectation of accountability from Campbell’s family, revealing a complicated dynamic where respect and community support are uneven. The incident underscores how assumptions about youth behavior and gender roles can strain relationships within a community.

    3. Analyze how the interaction between Campbell, her sister, and Mrs. Stieg during the garden cleanup serves as a metaphor for Campbell’s personality and challenges.

    Answer:
    The garden cleanup, particularly the damaged rose bush with its “built-in defense system” of thorns, serves as a metaphor for Campbell herself. Like the roses, Campbell is portrayed as resilient but guarded, prone to drawing “blood” in the form of emotional or physical scars. The thorns symbolize the protective barriers she maintains, reflecting her serious and sometimes difficult nature. The sisters’ efforts to repair the bush also mirror their attempts to navigate and mend community tensions caused by Campbell’s actions. The metaphor emphasizes the idea that growth and healing are possible but require patience and care—just as Campbell must balance her strong, independent spirit with respect for others and the consequences of her actions.

    4. How does the chapter explore the theme of growing up and the tension between childhood freedom and responsibility?

    Answer:
    The chapter explores growing up through Campbell’s dual existence as a serious thinker and a girl who still seeks moments of childhood freedom, especially when riding her bike. The tension between freedom and responsibility is central: Campbell enjoys the autonomy of biking with friends and ignoring helmet laws, embodying youthful rebellion and joy. Yet, this freedom leads to consequences, such as the damage to Mrs. Stieg’s roses, which forces Campbell and her sister to confront responsibility. The garden cleanup represents a rite of passage, where Campbell learns that actions have repercussions and that respect for others is part of maturity. This balance between independence and accountability is a core aspect of growing up depicted in the chapter.

    5. What role does the narrator’s perspective play in shaping our understanding of Campbell and the events in this chapter?

    Answer:
    The narrator, Campbell’s sister Leighton, offers a deeply personal and nuanced perspective that shapes our understanding of Campbell and the unfolding events. Leighton admires Campbell’s complexity but also admits to not fully grasping her sister’s inner world, comparing it to the “Mariana Trench.” This viewpoint provides insight into Campbell’s seriousness and secretive nature while highlighting the sisterly bond and occasional tensions between them. Leighton’s observations about the bike, the garden incident, and Mrs. Stieg’s attitudes reveal the social dynamics and family challenges from an insider’s view. Her blend of empathy, skepticism, and protectiveness helps readers appreciate Campbell’s multifaceted character and the broader themes of family, community, and growth.

    Note