Literary Criticism: The Birds

 

The main characters in this short story are Nat Hocken, a disabled war veteran who cares deeply about his family. He loves to observe the birds above his farmland in Cornwall, England. He represents humanity facing a sky that is totally obscured by birds.

Mrs. Hocken blindly follows the instructions given by her husband; she is anxious for the survival of their children.

Jill Hocken is their daughter; she represents innocence, like her brother Johnny.

Mr. and Mrs. Trigg are the neighbors and employers of Nat. This family ridicules Nat when he advises them to take precautions against the birds' attacks. They will die as a result.

The Radio Announcer represents hope. At seven in the afternoon, instructions are given in the last news bulletin on how to protect your home from attacks.

The birds represent the idea that humanity cannot overtake nature.

The short story begins with the sudden change of climate and the unusual presence of flocks of birds. This is followed by the brutal attacks of the birds, from which no one can survive outside their own homes.

The only contact with the external world is the radio announcer, who becomes a source of hope.

The conclusion comes when Nat is smoking his last cigarette; he promises his family that he will protect them.

The main theme of this short story is that humans cannot overtake (or dominate) nature.

The climax (apex) occurs when there are no more radio bulletins; this represents the end of hope.

The story is set in Cornwall.