Symbolism in Flight Behavior
Image borrowed from Danny Drake
Flight Behavior, a novel by Barbara Kingsolver, includes an abundance of symbolism that supports Kingsolver's goal: to spread awareness of the irreversible damage global warming is causing to Earth's delicate ecosystem, not only affecting humans, but every living thing on this planet. Throughout the book, Kingsolver also explores human nature and diversity--she comments on the fact that though people are presented with clear, scientific evidence, they still refuse to believe in global warming.
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Borrowed from Mother Earth News
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One of the most significant symbols in Flight Behavior is the Sustainability Pledge. A scene in the novel shows an elderly man asking Dellarobia to sign and adhere to his pledge to lower her carbon footprint. The list of things to change included flying less, using tupperware for restaurant leftovers, and not buying bottled water, all things that Dellarobia cannot afford in the first place. The man also suggested reducing her intake of red meat, to which she replied, "Are you crazy? I'm trying to increase our intake of red meat....because mac and cheese only gets you so far." Each one requires already living at a certain level of economic stability that Dellarobia does not have. The Sustainability Pledge depicts how the poor are not the perpetrators of global warming, but rather the victims.
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Monarch butterflies are the biggest symbol in Flight Behavior--they represent Dellarobia, the main character. The butterflies and Dellarobia have both veered from their planned course; Dellarobia wanted to go to college and get out of her small, poverty ridden town, but instead, got pregnant at 17 and married a man she did not love. Because of unusual weather due to global warming, monarch butterflies have landed in the wrong over wintering spot, putting the species at risk of never recovering from the harsh winter conditions. Butterflies can’t change the hard-wired behaviors of wintering in Mexico, and it’s killing them. Human beings can change the way they live, but it is human nature to be resistant to change.
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Image borrowed from Dave Kust
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