“You’re not the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or a week ago. You’re constantly changing; experiences don’t stop. That’s life”- Unknown. In Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman, the main character, Catherine, constantly changes. In the beginning, Catherine was very stubborn and she wouldn’t accept the fact that she had to marry, the awful, Shaggy Beard. Towards the end, Catherine realizes that she needs to change and that she has to be herself and become mature. Throughout Catherine’s life, many people such as her suitors, Shaggy Beard, the Jewish lady, and her mother help influence a change in her. In the end, Catherine’s many experiences lead her to the discovery of the need for change.
Catherine’s experience with her suitors and Shaggy Beard helped lead her to the need to change herself. One example is when Catherine had stated, “ I realize that Shaggy Beard has won my body, but no matter whose wife I am, I will still be me” (Cushman 162). Even though Catherine wasn’t ready for marriage, …show more content…
An example of this is when Catherine writes, “My mother being ill these past days, I have had no time for writing or, in truth, anything to write” (Cushman 119). Catherine’s mother had multiple miscarriages. With her recent pregnancy, she was now getting sick. Since her mother was getting ill; Catherine had begun to realize that life was very precious. From this experience, Catherine started to realize that she needed to change, by enjoying more of her life. In the beginning of the story, Catherine used to be very stubborn and would not listen to her father about doing her chores. However, now with this incident of Catherine’s mother becoming ill, Catherine changed. She started to become mature. As a result of Catherine’s mother becoming sick from her pregnancy; this showed Catherine that she needed to change, into becoming more
Catherine’s experience with her suitors and Shaggy Beard helped lead her to the need to change herself. One example is when Catherine had stated, “ I realize that Shaggy Beard has won my body, but no matter whose wife I am, I will still be me” (Cushman 162). Even though Catherine wasn’t ready for marriage, …show more content…
An example of this is when Catherine writes, “My mother being ill these past days, I have had no time for writing or, in truth, anything to write” (Cushman 119). Catherine’s mother had multiple miscarriages. With her recent pregnancy, she was now getting sick. Since her mother was getting ill; Catherine had begun to realize that life was very precious. From this experience, Catherine started to realize that she needed to change, by enjoying more of her life. In the beginning of the story, Catherine used to be very stubborn and would not listen to her father about doing her chores. However, now with this incident of Catherine’s mother becoming ill, Catherine changed. She started to become mature. As a result of Catherine’s mother becoming sick from her pregnancy; this showed Catherine that she needed to change, into becoming more