Birds

In the novel, birds symbolize beauty and self-fulfillment. The boy wishes to earn a Boy Scouts merit badge in bird identification, for which he needs to identify 15 birds. As he does chores around Ona Vitkus’ house. He keeps his eyes open for different bird species, and Ona even helps him identify certain birds. In this way the boy gains a sense of progress and fulfillment in life that is, for him, often filled with frustrations. Moreover, Ona gains a new appreciation for the beauty of the birds as she and the boy seek them out and identify them.

World Records

In the novel, world records symbolize accomplishment and immortality. Before Ona Vitkus met the boy, she did not care about world records, nor was she even very aware of them. However, the boy’s excitement over world records quickly influences Ona, and she adopts the boy...