Owl By Jackie Kay Analysis

“Owl” is a short story, written by Jackie Kay in 2012. The story illustrates the experience of growing up and the importance of friends. Moreover, it is a story that explores how young children are as invincible and indestructible as they believe themselves to be because they can never be irreparably broken. However, as children grow up they can become less naïve, because they see the different and darker aspects of life. Growing up can be a confusing time, and if you become lost or stuck in the past, it can be difficult to find your way back.

The story is told from a first person narrator, who is a woman named Anita and it begins with a flashback to her childhood from the summer holidays with her friend, Marion and their families. The first

The name Barn can be a symbol of safety and the way Anita strives to feel secure and is scared of beginning a new life, whereas Marion is named Tawny, which can symbolize the freedom of a bird. Even though, it might be scary and overwhelming, she encourages Anita to change her life, and she still firmly believes that they are free as owls: ““You’re not going to feel anything like the fear you’ve been feeling,” Tawn said. “There’s nothing like the fear you feel when you are in the wrong life.”” (Page 3, line 108-109) and ““Because I’m an owl. You are too.”” (Page 3, line 111) Furthermore, they still call each other their nicknames which might symbolize the way that they are stuck in the past, and have not been able to move on: “We must face what we saw and what we did about what we saw. And maybe after that we could go back to our names, to calling ourselves our real names.” (Page 4, line 134-136) Throughout the entire story there is a very clear symbol of the owl, the heron and flying. The symbolic meaning of these can be an escape, a transition and freedom. When they were children, they found the owl and they use it as a distraction to escape from the conflicts in their families. However, they call themselves owls too, which can symbolize the inevitable transition from children to adults: ““Do you remember that time when we became convinced we

Even though, it illustrates how a woman is having difficulties moving on from the past, it is a very hopeful story because her best friend is able to help her and find the positive aspects of her situation. The author focuses on the symbols of birds and the ability to fly to exemplify the transition and the freedom that the woman experiences when she finally has the courage to start