In “Feathers” by Raymond Carver, a couple goes to a coworker’s house for dinner, where they encounter a peacock, a plaster mold of crooked teeth, and an ugly baby. Afterwards, the couple has a child of their own. Two symbols in the story are the peacock and plaster mold of crooked teeth. The first symbol in this story is the peacock. Peacocks can be described as “birds of 1,000 eyes,” “birds of paradise,” “very colorful,” and “exotic”. The dictionary defines peacock as, “a person who is vain and fond of showing off; proud; one who struts”. I think the peacock represents hauteur. The peacock, Joey, is puffed up with vanity, as peacocks naturally are, and displays a general conceitedness. This behavior corresponds with that of Fran, the narrator’s
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A plaster mold of a person’s teeth is taken before braces are put on. Braces are most often reserved for “out of place” teeth. For most, having teeth that are “crooked” or “out of place” is a source of insecurity. Having them straightened with braces will raise a person’s self esteem, ultimately making them happier. I think the plaster mold of crooked teeth represents appreciation. This mold belongs to Olla, Bud’s wife, who had previously crooked teeth. Bud had her teeth fixed with braces, however, they did not have to keep the mold. On page 13, Olla clarifies why she does, saying, “‘They’re [the plaster mold of teeth] to remind me of how much I owe Bud.’” She later mentions, “‘My first husband didn’t care what I looked like. No, he didn't! He didn't care about anything except where his next drink was coming from… Then Bud came along and got me out of that mess.’” Olla does not keep the mold because it is nice to look at, but because of her appreciation for Bud’s actions. She feels as though he saved her from her first husband, and fixing her teeth was the cherry on top. On page 14, Olla says, “‘After I got the braces off, I kept putting my hand up to my mouth when I laughed… One day Bud said, ‘You can stop doing that anytime, Olla. You don’t have to hide teeth as pretty as that…’’” Bud had Olla’s teeth fixed to raise her self esteem, ultimately making her happier. He did not do it for himself, because he
A plaster mold of a person’s teeth is taken before braces are put on. Braces are most often reserved for “out of place” teeth. For most, having teeth that are “crooked” or “out of place” is a source of insecurity. Having them straightened with braces will raise a person’s self esteem, ultimately making them happier. I think the plaster mold of crooked teeth represents appreciation. This mold belongs to Olla, Bud’s wife, who had previously crooked teeth. Bud had her teeth fixed with braces, however, they did not have to keep the mold. On page 13, Olla clarifies why she does, saying, “‘They’re [the plaster mold of teeth] to remind me of how much I owe Bud.’” She later mentions, “‘My first husband didn’t care what I looked like. No, he didn't! He didn't care about anything except where his next drink was coming from… Then Bud came along and got me out of that mess.’” Olla does not keep the mold because it is nice to look at, but because of her appreciation for Bud’s actions. She feels as though he saved her from her first husband, and fixing her teeth was the cherry on top. On page 14, Olla says, “‘After I got the braces off, I kept putting my hand up to my mouth when I laughed… One day Bud said, ‘You can stop doing that anytime, Olla. You don’t have to hide teeth as pretty as that…’’” Bud had Olla’s teeth fixed to raise her self esteem, ultimately making her happier. He did not do it for himself, because he