blank face

Symbolism
ƒx Alice likened to the favourite pigeon. The old man keep bird in, cannot control Alice.
ƒx receives the new pigeon, he is able to release the favourite: he accepts that shutting it in is not right.

Attitudes in the text
ƒx attitudes old man - we see most things through his eyes.
ƒx see Alice's and Lucy's not through narration or description - only in what they say to him.
ƒx Steven's viewpoint is almost invisible.
ƒx only clue is his gift
Attitudes behind the text
ƒx men and women seem to have clearly defined roles
old man
ƒx has no name
ƒx perhaps make him seem more universal

Alice
ƒx young woman but he still sees her as a child - or would like to do so.
ƒx She looks young and sometimes acts in a carefree way, but mostly she has a serious and grown up wish to marry her boyfriend, and settle into a domestic routine.


Lucy daughter
ƒx depicted as a grown up in her appearance ("square-fronted"),
ƒx her actions (she looks after h...