We might, at this point, recall some earlier birds in the story, those “doleful” rooks and crows, those “fighting” sparrows. This seagull is a freer species of bird, far from this crummy, sweltering little town, out in some cool, clean ocean air.
I demur re the corvids. Humans might be impoverished and miserable, but the ravens and crows are above that. They're laughing at humans, with their pathetic sensitivities. Those blessed with wings can fly to the treetops, to a distant meadow; they hang around humans because we provide them with amusement and food, mostly due to our incompetence with nature.
