2026 Reading Challenge
The Painted Bird

Questions About The Painted Bird

by Jerzy Kosiński

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Painted Bird, please sign up.

Answered Questions (2)

What do you think is the main lesson learned by the boy and the many iconic symbols such as the significance of the "comet"?
Nathaniel Winston The Epicurean conclusion; the world is just chaos and you can't trust God or superstition to save you.

The comet is just a symbol of violence.…moreThe Epicurean conclusion; the world is just chaos and you can't trust God or superstition to save you.

The comet is just a symbol of violence.(less)
flag
Some people seem to think that the boy was a jew after all and just denied it to the reader. What do you think?
David Delle Monache The ambiguity is part of the book’s message in my opinion. Gypsy, Jewish, Polish, Russian...what difference would it have made? Definitely one of the …moreThe ambiguity is part of the book’s message in my opinion. Gypsy, Jewish, Polish, Russian...what difference would it have made? Definitely one of the darkest yet most insightful books I’ve ever read. And so beautifully written.(less)
flag

Unanswered Questions (2)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more