If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Thirty-Seven
by McCauley, KyrieThe chapter opens with the narrator preparing to interview hunters on a cold Saturday morning, reflecting on the unusual situation of facing a crow problem in their town. Despite the chilling weather and the armed men around, the narrator contemplates the futility of the crow hunt, referencing expert advice that such measures are unlikely to reduce the large crow population significantly. Instead, the narrator contrasts this approach with another town’s innovative response—a crow festival that embraces the birds as a tourist attraction, turning a nuisance into a celebration.
The narrator’s conversation with Liam reveals a personal dimension to the event. Liam shares that his father once wanted him to participate in the hunt, a tradition rooted in bonding and heritage, but Liam himself feels disconnected from this part of his upbringing. Both express a fondness for the crows rather than hostility, highlighting a generational and emotional divide regarding the town’s approach to the crow problem. This exchange adds depth to the narrative, showing how individual values and relationships influence perceptions of the hunt.
As the hunt commences, the narrator remains uneasy, distracted by thoughts of a character named Joe and the violence unfolding nearby. The hunters, while seemingly indifferent to the ecological impact, participate more for enjoyment than for any real solution. The narrator’s internal conflict and desire for an alternative—such as the festival idea—underscore a broader dissatisfaction with the town’s handling of the issue and a yearning for pride and harmony that currently feels absent.
Ultimately, the chapter conveys a mood of ambivalence and longing. The narrator wishes to escape the town’s tensions and imagines offering it as a gift to the crows, pondering what might be returned in exchange. This metaphor reflects a deep connection to place and a hope for transformation, capturing the emotional complexity of living in a community grappling with environmental challenges and cultural traditions.
FAQs
1. What is the author’s initial attitude toward the crow hunt, and how does this reflect broader themes in the chapter?
Answer:
The author approaches the crow hunt with skepticism and discomfort, questioning the choices that led her to be there and describing the hunt as “pointless” based on expert advice. This attitude reflects themes of questioning traditional practices and the effectiveness of violent solutions to natural problems. The author contrasts the futility of the hunt with alternative approaches, such as the festival of crows, highlighting a tension between control through force and coexistence or celebration of nature.2. How does the conversation between the author and Liam reveal differing perspectives on hunting and family traditions?
Answer:
Liam shares that his father wanted him to participate in the hunt to bond over a shared experience, reflecting a traditional family expectation tied to local culture. However, Liam himself is disinterested in hunting and feels that his passions diverge from his father’s. The author and Liam both express empathy and affection for the crows, indicating a generational or personal shift away from hunting as a cultural norm. This exchange underscores themes of evolving identity and the complexity of family relationships in the context of community traditions.3. What alternative to the crow hunt does the chapter present, and what are its intended benefits?
Answer:
The chapter presents the “festival of crows” as an alternative approach used by another town facing a crow problem. Instead of attempting to reduce the crow population through hunts or deterrents, the town embraced the birds by turning their presence into a tourist attraction and a local tradition. This approach aims to transform a perceived nuisance into an opportunity for community pride and economic benefit, fostering coexistence rather than conflict with nature.4. How does the author’s internal conflict about the crow hunt relate to her feelings about her hometown, Auburn?
Answer:
The author’s unease with the crow hunt parallels her complex feelings about Auburn. She expresses a lack of pride in the town and wishes she could symbolically give it away to the crows. The crows, described as “too good for this place,” serve as a metaphor for the author’s own sense of displacement and dissatisfaction. This internal conflict reflects broader themes of belonging, identity, and the struggle between embracing or rejecting one’s roots.5. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of human relationships with nature and community?
Answer:
The chapter explores human relationships with nature through the lens of the crow problem and the community’s varied responses. The hunters represent a traditional, confrontational approach to wildlife, focused on control and recreation. In contrast, the festival of crows symbolizes acceptance and celebration of nature’s presence. The author’s reflections and interactions reveal a nuanced view of community dynamics, where cultural traditions, personal values, and environmental realities intersect, prompting questions about coexistence, respect, and the meaning of home.
Quotes
1. “Dr. Cornell said that it might make people feel better to do something about it, but with the crows in such high numbers—his latest estimate was nearing fifty thousand birds—a crow shoot or two won’t have any discernible impact on the population or their migration habits.”
This quote highlights the futility of the crow hunt, emphasizing the mismatch between human attempts to control nature and the ecological reality. It introduces a critical perspective on the effectiveness of the town’s chosen solution.
2. “Instead, when they realized the crows kept coming back year after year, they started a new town tradition: the festival of crows.”
This statement presents an alternative approach to the crow problem, shifting from confrontation to celebration. It encapsulates a key theme of the chapter — how embracing rather than fighting the crows could transform community relations and identity.
3. “Sometimes I think he expected us to have the same experience he did growing up here. Which just wasn’t gonna happen.”
This quote provides insight into generational differences and personal identity struggles within the town’s context. It reveals the tension between tradition and individual passion, underscoring a deeper emotional layer in the narrative.
4. “Most of the hunters are happy to answer a few questions. None of them seem to actually care much about the crows invading Auburn, and none of them are fooled that this bird hunt will have an impact. They just enjoy it.”
This passage exposes the hunters’ true motivations, contrasting them with the purported goal of the hunt. It critiques the symbolic nature of the event and reflects on human behavior in the face of ecological challenges.
5. “I lean against one of the trucks, reading my notes at first, but when the gunshots start, I’m too on edge. I end up just listening to the hunt, thinking about how much better a festival of crows would be. Auburn born, Auburn proud. But the crows weren’t born here, and they’re too good for this place. And I was born here, and I’m not proud.”
This poignant reflection captures the narrator’s conflicted feelings about the town and its relationship with the crows. It serves as a powerful conclusion to the chapter’s exploration of belonging, identity, and acceptance.