The Birds

Author/Book Information The Birds was written by Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989). She was a British author and playwright. She spent most much of her life in Cornwall, England. She became reclusive as her fame increased through her novels. Besides The Birds, du Maurier was known for Rebecca and The Scapegoat. The genre of The Birds is a thriller. It is considered a novelette. It was published in 1952 by Penguin Books.

Background of The Birds The setting is in Cornwall, England. It is shortly after the end of World War II during a cold snap in December. The story is thought to be a metaphor for the attacks on London during World War II, the Blitz in particular. The Blitz was the name borrowed by the British Press and applied to the heavy and frequent bombing raids carried out over Britain in 1940 and 1941.

The Plot In "The Birds," humble farmer Nat Hocken and his family are attacked by a flock of killer birds. He first notices that the birds are congregating when he sees an unusual amount of them on his walk home. At the end of the story, Nat futilely attempts to board up his house against an attack. Eventually, the birds break in. Disabled farmer Nat Hocken notices that the birds have become aggressive. The radio reports that the same thing is happening all over England. Nat attempts to board up his house, to no avail. The birds attack with deadly force.

Symbolism The Birds The Birds are the villains that attack and kill the innocent villagers for unknown reasons. Winter Winter is the season in which The Birds is set. The bleak, dreary weather adds to the sense of isolation and despair that characterizes the story. The Wireless Radio The Wireless Radio is Nat Hocken’s only connection to the outside world for receiving information. When the birds begin attacking, the wireless radio goes silent, symbolizing “the calm before the storm.” A Gun This is what Mr. Trigg offers Nat Hocken for protection, but Nat refuses, realizing that it will do little against a sky full of angry birds.

Literary Terms Imagery pictures that the author creates to define setting, to reveal character, to reinforce theme, to reinforce mood, or for many other reasons. Images can be visual (sight), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), and tactile (touch). Foreshadow a warning or indication of (a future event) Simile comparing two unalike things by using like or as Metaphor comparison of two unalike things that does not use like or as; saying one thing is another Internal Conflict A struggle that takes place in a character’s mind External Conflict A struggle between a character and an outside force

The Movie Alfred Hitchcock adapted the novelette to the big screen. The movie came out in 1963. Like the story, it was an instant hit. It still has an enormous following.