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    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.
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    If These Wings Could Fly

    Chapter Nineteen

    by McCauley, Kyrie

    The chap­ter opens with a vivid scene of young boys prac­tic­ing flag foot­ball under the stern eyes of coach­es and anx­ious fathers, high­light­ing the intense pres­sure placed on chil­dren to excel and be “the most” in var­i­ous ways. This com­pet­i­tive envi­ron­ment, while seem­ing­ly innocu­ous, sows seeds of fear and dis­ap­point­ment that can evolve into deep­er feel­ings of fail­ure and anger as the boys grow old­er. The nar­ra­tor reflects on their own detach­ment from foot­ball, con­trast­ing it with their father’s destruc­tive pas­sion for the sport, and ques­tions why such a game holds so much pow­er over peo­ple’s lives.

    Despite this skep­ti­cism, the nar­ra­tor acknowl­edges the unde­ni­able local enthu­si­asm for the team, as evi­denced by fre­quent news­pa­per cov­er­age and their sis­ter Sofia’s involve­ment in cheer­ing and report­ing on the games. Moti­vat­ed by a desire to under­stand this com­mu­ni­ty spir­it and sup­port Sofia, the nar­ra­tor ten­ta­tive­ly express­es inter­est in attend­ing a game. This deci­sion marks a sub­tle shift from avoid­ance to engage­ment, sug­gest­ing a will­ing­ness to explore new per­spec­tives despite per­son­al reser­va­tions.

    The fam­i­ly dynam­ic is ten­der­ly por­trayed through a shared din­ner scene, where moments of calm and laugh­ter pro­vide a con­trast to under­ly­ing ten­sions. The father’s steady but exhaust­ing con­struc­tion work and the fam­i­ly’s finan­cial improve­ments bring a sense of sta­bil­i­ty. Con­ver­sa­tion about a school project involv­ing an inter­view with their grand­moth­er, Nana, evokes a mix­ture of hope and unease, hint­ing at past strug­gles and the com­plex­i­ty of their famil­ial rela­tion­ships.

    In prepa­ra­tion for the game, the nar­ra­tor expe­ri­ences a small but mean­ing­ful exchange with their sis­ter Camp­bell, who helps with wardrobe and hair in a ges­ture of care and cama­raderie. This inter­ac­tion under­scores the sup­port and bonds with­in the fam­i­ly amidst exter­nal chal­lenges. The chap­ter clos­es with a light-heart­ed moment about a pri­vate joke, rein­forc­ing the narrator’s ten­ta­tive steps toward embrac­ing com­mu­ni­ty life and the uncer­tain yet hope­ful path ahead.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the chapter portray the pressures faced by young boys in competitive sports, and what impact does this have on their development?

      Answer:
      The chapter highlights the intense pressure placed on young boys to be the “most” — fastest, tallest, strongest, or bravest — in sports like football. This competitive expectation is depicted as emotionally harmful, causing boys to bury their fears and potentially leading to feelings of failure as they grow older. The narrator observes that while disappointment at age seven might seem minor, by seventeen it can feel like outright failure. This relentless pressure may cause some boys to adopt negative behaviors, becoming “the meanest,” “the loudest,” or “the angriest.” The passage critiques a culture that equates worth with dominance, suggesting it can distort emotional health and identity development.

      2. What contrast does the narrator draw between their personal feelings about football and the community’s enthusiasm for the sport?

      Answer:
      The narrator expresses a personal dislike for football, rooted in their father’s destructive obsession with the game. They question why anyone would give “something so stupid” so much power over their lives. In contrast, the community is depicted as deeply invested in the sport, with the local newspaper prominently featuring the team’s successes and the town exhibiting strong team spirit. The narrator acknowledges the team’s newsworthiness and begins to see football as an important social phenomenon, especially through their sister Sofia’s enthusiasm for cheering and reporting on the games. This contrast sets up an internal conflict between personal feelings and cultural realities.

      3. How does the family dynamic and home environment reflect the themes of stability and struggle in the chapter?

      Answer:
      The family dynamic oscillates between moments of warmth and underlying tension. The narrator describes calm evenings with family members laughing and cooking together, creating an image of a “normal home.” Yet, subtle hints of struggle persist, such as the shortage of glasses and the unspoken worries symbolized by brushing aside troubling thoughts “like a mosquito.” The father’s physically demanding construction work and the family’s financial concerns add layers of hardship. The mention of staying with Nana only during difficult times further emphasizes a history of instability. Together, these details illustrate a family striving for normalcy amid ongoing challenges, mirroring the chapter’s exploration of resilience.

      4. What significance does the narrator attach to the construction job’s salvage work, and how does it metaphorically relate to their family?

      Answer:
      The narrator’s father works on salvaging a fire-damaged apartment building, deciding whether it is “worth saving.” This scenario prompts the narrator to reflect on the difficult question of preservation and repair. The metaphor extends to their own family, suggesting that, like the building, their family is under scrutiny to determine if it can be restored or must be left behind. This metaphor deepens the emotional complexity of the chapter, highlighting themes of damage, resilience, and hope for renewal. It underscores the narrator’s internal struggle with their family’s fragility and the possibility of healing.

      5. How does the narrator’s decision to attend the football game reflect their evolving perspective and character development?

      Answer:
      Initially, the narrator is resistant to football, associating it with negative memories and personal dislike. However, their decision to attend the game, motivated by a desire to support their sister Sofia and engage with the community, marks a significant shift. It shows openness to understanding a cultural phenomenon they previously dismissed and a willingness to step outside their comfort zone. The act of preparing for the game, including Campbell’s playful intervention with clothing and hair, symbolizes a subtle embrace of new experiences. This choice reflects growth, curiosity, and a nuanced acceptance of complexity in their world and relationships.

    Quotes

    • 1. “What happens when you tell little boys every day of their lives that they must be the most? The fastest, or the tallest, or the strongest. Maybe you tell them to be bravest, like that’s better. Like they won’t take their fear and bury it down deep in an effort to please you.”

      This quote critically examines societal and parental pressures placed on young boys to excel and be “the most,” highlighting the emotional consequences of such expectations. It sets the chapter’s reflective tone on competition, identity, and the hidden costs of striving for superiority.

      2. “But there isn’t so much room at the top, and while it might feel like disappointment when they’re seven, it starts to feel like failure when they’re seventeen. And then some of them become a different most. They become the meanest. The loudest. The angriest.”

      Here, the author insightfully traces the long-term impact of relentless competition on boys’ development, illustrating how early disappointment can evolve into negative behaviors. This passage deepens the chapter’s exploration of the psychological effects of societal ideals.

      3. “It reminds me of the rosebush and Mrs. Stieg’s close inspection of its roots, and what a strange question it is to ask of anything: Is it worth saving? I wonder how our family would fare under such close scrutiny.”

      This metaphor connects the physical act of salvaging a fire-damaged building to the emotional and familial struggles faced by the narrator’s family. It introduces a poignant theme of resilience and worthiness, questioning what deserves preservation amid hardship.

      4. “‘Yeah. Go Wolves!’ ‘You hate football.’ ‘Yes, I really do. But I like news. And the team winning is news.’”

      This exchange encapsulates the narrator’s complex relationship with football and community identity—disliking the sport personally but recognizing its significance as a cultural and newsworthy phenomenon. It marks a turning point where the narrator chooses engagement over avoidance.

      5. “Campbell starts to leave. ‘Thanks,’ I say. ‘Do you need help, too?’ She laughs. ‘No. But you have to answer a question.’ ‘What is it?’ ‘Does Liam play football?’ ‘I’m not answering that because it’s irrelevant.’ ‘Liar,’ she says on her way out the door.”

      This light-hearted dialogue adds a layer of personal connection and sibling dynamics, subtly highlighting underlying tensions and relationships that enrich the narrative. It provides a humanizing moment amid the chapter’s heavier themes.

    Quotes

    1. “What happens when you tell little boys every day of their lives that they must be the most? The fastest, or the tallest, or the strongest. Maybe you tell them to be bravest, like that’s better. Like they won’t take their fear and bury it down deep in an effort to please you.”

    This quote critically examines societal and parental pressures placed on young boys to excel and be “the most,” highlighting the emotional consequences of such expectations. It sets the chapter’s reflective tone on competition, identity, and the hidden costs of striving for superiority.

    2. “But there isn’t so much room at the top, and while it might feel like disappointment when they’re seven, it starts to feel like failure when they’re seventeen. And then some of them become a different most. They become the meanest. The loudest. The angriest.”

    Here, the author insightfully traces the long-term impact of relentless competition on boys’ development, illustrating how early disappointment can evolve into negative behaviors. This passage deepens the chapter’s exploration of the psychological effects of societal ideals.

    3. “It reminds me of the rosebush and Mrs. Stieg’s close inspection of its roots, and what a strange question it is to ask of anything: Is it worth saving? I wonder how our family would fare under such close scrutiny.”

    This metaphor connects the physical act of salvaging a fire-damaged building to the emotional and familial struggles faced by the narrator’s family. It introduces a poignant theme of resilience and worthiness, questioning what deserves preservation amid hardship.

    4. “‘Yeah. Go Wolves!’ ‘You hate football.’ ‘Yes, I really do. But I like news. And the team winning is news.’”

    This exchange encapsulates the narrator’s complex relationship with football and community identity—disliking the sport personally but recognizing its significance as a cultural and newsworthy phenomenon. It marks a turning point where the narrator chooses engagement over avoidance.

    5. “Campbell starts to leave. ‘Thanks,’ I say. ‘Do you need help, too?’ She laughs. ‘No. But you have to answer a question.’ ‘What is it?’ ‘Does Liam play football?’ ‘I’m not answering that because it’s irrelevant.’ ‘Liar,’ she says on her way out the door.”

    This light-hearted dialogue adds a layer of personal connection and sibling dynamics, subtly highlighting underlying tensions and relationships that enrich the narrative. It provides a humanizing moment amid the chapter’s heavier themes.

    FAQs

    1. How does the chapter portray the pressures faced by young boys in competitive sports, and what impact does this have on their development?

    Answer:
    The chapter highlights the intense pressure placed on young boys to be the “most” — fastest, tallest, strongest, or bravest — in sports like football. This competitive expectation is depicted as emotionally harmful, causing boys to bury their fears and potentially leading to feelings of failure as they grow older. The narrator observes that while disappointment at age seven might seem minor, by seventeen it can feel like outright failure. This relentless pressure may cause some boys to adopt negative behaviors, becoming “the meanest,” “the loudest,” or “the angriest.” The passage critiques a culture that equates worth with dominance, suggesting it can distort emotional health and identity development.

    2. What contrast does the narrator draw between their personal feelings about football and the community’s enthusiasm for the sport?

    Answer:
    The narrator expresses a personal dislike for football, rooted in their father’s destructive obsession with the game. They question why anyone would give “something so stupid” so much power over their lives. In contrast, the community is depicted as deeply invested in the sport, with the local newspaper prominently featuring the team’s successes and the town exhibiting strong team spirit. The narrator acknowledges the team’s newsworthiness and begins to see football as an important social phenomenon, especially through their sister Sofia’s enthusiasm for cheering and reporting on the games. This contrast sets up an internal conflict between personal feelings and cultural realities.

    3. How does the family dynamic and home environment reflect the themes of stability and struggle in the chapter?

    Answer:
    The family dynamic oscillates between moments of warmth and underlying tension. The narrator describes calm evenings with family members laughing and cooking together, creating an image of a “normal home.” Yet, subtle hints of struggle persist, such as the shortage of glasses and the unspoken worries symbolized by brushing aside troubling thoughts “like a mosquito.” The father’s physically demanding construction work and the family’s financial concerns add layers of hardship. The mention of staying with Nana only during difficult times further emphasizes a history of instability. Together, these details illustrate a family striving for normalcy amid ongoing challenges, mirroring the chapter’s exploration of resilience.

    4. What significance does the narrator attach to the construction job’s salvage work, and how does it metaphorically relate to their family?

    Answer:
    The narrator’s father works on salvaging a fire-damaged apartment building, deciding whether it is “worth saving.” This scenario prompts the narrator to reflect on the difficult question of preservation and repair. The metaphor extends to their own family, suggesting that, like the building, their family is under scrutiny to determine if it can be restored or must be left behind. This metaphor deepens the emotional complexity of the chapter, highlighting themes of damage, resilience, and hope for renewal. It underscores the narrator’s internal struggle with their family’s fragility and the possibility of healing.

    5. How does the narrator’s decision to attend the football game reflect their evolving perspective and character development?

    Answer:
    Initially, the narrator is resistant to football, associating it with negative memories and personal dislike. However, their decision to attend the game, motivated by a desire to support their sister Sofia and engage with the community, marks a significant shift. It shows openness to understanding a cultural phenomenon they previously dismissed and a willingness to step outside their comfort zone. The act of preparing for the game, including Campbell’s playful intervention with clothing and hair, symbolizes a subtle embrace of new experiences. This choice reflects growth, curiosity, and a nuanced acceptance of complexity in their world and relationships.

    Note