Jennifer answers “I must have missed something, what was the...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about The Night Swim (Rachel Krall, #1):

I must have missed something, what was the significance of her buying a bird at the end? The night that Bobby was nursing that bird back to-health?

Jennifer I think Jen's answer is the best. But I think it goes further than that. The bird was essentially being abused and it had no means of escape, it was e…moreI think Jen's answer is the best. But I think it goes further than that. The bird was essentially being abused and it had no means of escape, it was essentially trapped by its abusers. Just like Jenny was. Everyone thought they were treating it well, giving it what it wanted and expected the bird to be grateful/sing, when they had no idea and didn't even consider what it might want, sort of like the thorny consent issue in sexual offences. I hope Rachel let the bird be free, not just swap one form of imprisonment for another.(less)

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Pat Twenter I agree Jennifer - the bird is meant to be symbolic - Jen’s answer is best - the bird, like the rape victims, was trapped by its abusers. I too hope R ...more
Jan 15, 2021 03:16PM · flag

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