Subjects:
fit in by being in an exclusive club. She ends up finding out how to be herself and
not joining the club. Through symbolism, conflict and characterization, Plath
shows readers the importance of being yourself.
One of the big symbols in the story is birds, specifically, Heather birds.
Millicent, the main character, finds out about these birds on the bus from a guy
whom she met while being dared as part of an initiation. The man on the bus
describes these birds as mythological creatures.
Heather birds live on the mythological moors and fly about all day
long, singing wild and sweet in the sun. They’re bright purple and have
This quote describes the Heather birds the man talks about in the story.
Towards the end of the story Millicent is deciding between becoming a
. . .
whole book.
Conflicts shape the characterization of the main character in the story. (5)
This quote illustrates how Millicent is symbolized by the Heather birds.
It would be hard to explain to the girls tonight of course [. The ordinary birds
symbolize the girls who go through the humiliation of initiation and become
members of the sorority. (3)
Millicent has a hard time taking orders from her but finally finds a way to cope
with her. (5)
Another thing that characterizes Millicent is how she is able to overcome her anger
when in conflict and have a good time doing things she doesn’t like. And
how she could be friends with everybody. But just then, from somewhere far off, Millicent was sure of it,
there came a melodic fluting, quite wild and sweet, and she knew that it
must be the song of the Heather birds. I wanted to warn you
that she is the toughest, but if you get through all right, it’ll be all the
more credit for you. Her decision on these two conflicts determines the
outcome of the story. eather bird or an ordinary bird that follows the flock.
Essay's Topics
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