Jealous Husband Returns In Form Of Parrot Analysis

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In the short story, “Jealous Husband Returns in Form of Parrot”, by Robert Olen Butler, one sentence really ties in the tragedy that is the theme; communication and being trapped. The narrator, a man who has reincarnated into a parrot after death, has been bought by his cheating wife from a pet store. He is imprisoned in a cage, watching his wife adulterate with other men. He has always been suspicious of his wife and had his doubts, but he was not able to confront her in person. Near the end of the story, he gets a chance to be alone with his wife. Unfortunately, he is only able to say things that a parrot might. This includes “Hello. Pretty bird. Pretty. Bad bird. Bad. Open. Up. Poor baby” (241). This sentence he says is so deep and moving