If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Three
by McCauley, KyrieThe chapter opens with a contrast between the typical high school experience of summer as a time of freedom and the protagonist’s own reality, where summer offers little respite. Returning to Auburn High, the narrator finds comfort in the predictability of school life, knowing that her daughters, Campbell and Juniper, are safe and that for a few hours, normalcy prevails. This sets the tone of the chapter, emphasizing the protagonist’s struggle to maintain stability amidst personal challenges, even as the school year begins anew.
Early in the day, the protagonist reconnects with her friend Sofia, whose joyful and lively demeanor provides a striking contrast to the narrator’s more burdened state. Their casual conversation about summer reading, school schedules, and upcoming classes highlights the everyday concerns of high school seniors. Sofia’s cheerful personality and their shared experiences create a sense of camaraderie, underscoring the importance of friendship as a source of support during difficult times.
The chapter also touches on typical high school dynamics, such as course selections and extracurricular activities, with the two friends discussing their classes and the possibility of collaborating on the school newspaper. Their banter about gym class and AP English adds a lighthearted element to the narrative, illustrating the blend of humor and routine that colors their daily lives. This interaction reinforces the theme of navigating adolescence amid personal and social pressures.
The chapter concludes with an eerie and symbolic image: thousands of crows covering the soccer field and football stadium, a striking and unsettling sight that draws the characters’ attention. This ominous gathering of birds contrasts sharply with the ordinary school setting and hints at deeper, possibly foreboding undercurrents in the story. The narrator’s reflection on why creatures capable of flight would choose to remain in Auburn adds a layer of mystery, suggesting that the town—and by extension, the characters—may be trapped in circumstances beyond their control.
FAQs
1. How does the protagonist’s perception of summer differ from that of other students at Auburn High, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
The protagonist views summer not as a time of freedom, unlike her peers, but as a period of ongoing stress and uncertainty. While “to everyone else at Auburn High, summer means freedom,” for her, it is a time of “domestic nightmare” and catching up on missed responsibilities, such as summer reading. This contrast highlights her sense of responsibility and perhaps a protective nature, as she finds comfort in the structure and safety the school environment provides for her and the girls, Campbell and Juniper. It reveals a character who values stability and normalcy amidst chaos, suggesting she may be dealing with difficulties at home that make the school routine a refuge.2. What role does Sofia play in the protagonist’s life, and how is their friendship characterized in the chapter?
Answer:
Sofia serves as a source of warmth, cheer, and companionship for the protagonist. She is described as “the happiest person I know,” with physical features that reflect her upbeat personality, such as her “rosy cheeks” and an “off-balance” smile that suggests constant laughter. Their friendship is portrayed as close and supportive; Sofia eagerly seeks out the protagonist and comforts her after difficult nights. The dialogue between them is casual and familiar, indicating trust and a shared experience of high school challenges. Sofia’s presence provides emotional relief and a sense of normal teenage friendship amidst the protagonist’s heavier burdens.3. Analyze the symbolism of the crows gathering on the soccer field and in the football stadium bleachers. What might this imagery suggest about the setting or mood of the story?
Answer:
The massive flock of crows covering the soccer field and filling the football stadium bleachers creates a striking and somewhat ominous image. Crows often symbolize foreboding, mystery, or impending change. Their overwhelming presence “in constant motion” and the protagonist’s reflection that “God knows why any creature would choose Auburn” suggests a sense of unease or disturbance in the town or school environment. This imagery may symbolize the dark undercurrents beneath the surface of everyday life at Auburn High, hinting at tension, hidden troubles, or a looming crisis. The fact that these creatures can fly away but have chosen not to might also reflect themes of entrapment or resignation.4. Considering the protagonist’s reaction to the school environment and her schedule, how does the chapter establish the theme of coping with challenges through routine?
Answer:
The protagonist’s comfort in the predictable routine of school contrasts with her turbulent summer, implying that structure helps her manage life’s difficulties. She mentions that at school, “I know what to expect,” and that she can “pretend everything is normal.” Even the mundane details of class schedules and the annoyance of “bumping into so many people” become part of a familiar pattern that provides stability. Her engagement with Sofia about classes and newspaper assignments further anchors her in this routine. This establishes a theme that maintaining daily rituals and predictable activities can be a crucial coping mechanism when external circumstances are chaotic or stressful.5. How does the chapter use dialogue and descriptive details to develop the personalities of the protagonist and Sofia? Provide examples.
Answer:
Dialogue and descriptive details vividly bring out the personalities of both characters. The protagonist speaks with a tone of weary humor and honesty, as seen when she describes her summer as a “domestic nightmare” and reacts to Sofia’s schedule with light sarcasm about having to “shower all over again.” Sofia’s personality shines through her cheerful speech and physical description: her “perpetual cheerleading ponytail,” “rosy cheeks,” and the “off-balance” smile that suggests she is “always like she just stopped laughing.” Their banter—complaining about schedules, joking about assignments, and casual swearing—reveals a close, easy friendship and contrasts Sofia’s bright demeanor with the protagonist’s more grounded, sometimes fatigued outlook. These elements combine to create relatable, nuanced characters.
Quotes
1. “At least here, I know what to expect. I know who I am. For the next eight hours, I know Campbell and Juniper are safe in their classes. I can pretend everything is normal.”
This quote captures the narrator’s sense of control and the fragile stability she clings to amid personal turmoil. It sets the emotional tone of the chapter, highlighting themes of routine as a refuge from chaos.
2. “I’ve been in a domestic nightmare.”
A succinct and powerful admission that reveals the narrator’s internal struggle. This phrase conveys the intensity of her personal difficulties without elaboration, inviting the reader’s empathy and curiosity about her situation.
3. “God knows why any creature would choose Auburn. Especially one that can fly away.”
This metaphorical reflection on the ominous presence of crows at the football field serves as a symbolic commentary on the town itself. It suggests a sense of entrapment or despair, underscoring the chapter’s undercurrent of unease despite outward normalcy.
4. “Thank God summer is over.”
Though brief, this italicized thought shared by the narrator and her daughters encapsulates a pivotal shift from chaotic freedom to the structured demands of school and safety. It reflects the chapter’s exploration of how routine can be both a burden and a blessing.