Cold Little Bird Analysis

Theme can be described as a topic of discussion that is consistently being referred to throughout the work. Within the canvas of words, theme is determined through the perspective of the reader or the author. The reader perceives theme through thematic concepts. Subsequently, the author ties their theme to the story through a term known as a thematic statement. Character, symbol, and setting, are three tools used to determine theme. Each provides a clue in identifying a theme. The author uses these to illustrate the theme to their audience and the reader uses them to identify a perceived theme. These tools aid in contrast and comparisons of theme in multiple stories. Thematic similarities can be acknowledged in the short stories Cold Little …show more content…
The short stories Cold Little Bird, The Flower, and Apollo use a similar style of symbolism that reflects the theme of the importance of change. In the short story Cold Little Bird, the author reveals symbolic clues through the character’s “bedtime”. Bedtime represented a comfortable and repetitive scene for the family that marks the start of change when Jonah refuses to continue their nightly routine. Myop, the main character in The Flower, uses rainbow color to symbolize her original perspective as naive, until black is introduced to bring her experience and truth. When the story begins, you can see the familiarity that Myop looks for with colors until she learns to see darker colors when she is not guarded or guided. This change in color is the change that the character endures on her adventure alone. This also applies to “Apollo” where illness represented Apollo’s “beginning”, where he would have to figure things out independently. The character’s development is captured by the reality of his circumstances, which allows him to move forwards with his own thoughts in his head. This brings his obedient quality into a free feeling of life. Being that there are two perspectives that determine the theme, thematic concept and thematic statement, many symbols are found throughout each piece that leads the story to illustrate the common theme of, the importance of …show more content…
Jonah from Cold Little Bird the symbolism of “bedtime” takes place in Jonah’s room, as setting emphasized structure and order to the family. New behavior can easily be spotted when the perspective changes, yet setting remains the same. Another instance observed is in The Flower, as Myop tours familiar surrounding with her guardians, but when left to roam by herself she begins to see this setting in a whole new light. In Apollo setting creates a clear illustration of the changes he must face as his reality changes. The setting is commonly represented in these pieces as “safe” or even through illustrating protocol to their daily lives, but as perspective starts to change, so does their view of this setting; however, commonly the setting has not