Review: The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico
The Snow Goose
The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico is a story about a misunderstood man who has been driven into isolation because of his physical deformities. Though his heart is pure and kind, people cannot seem to look past his disfigured appearance. He was only ever seen as "That queer painter chap that lives down at the lighthouse". He is a lonely man who is filled with compassion, and a love he is so longing to share. I admire Philip Rhayader because even though society judges him so harshly he still sees the world with such beauty.
Rhayader enjoys caring for birds, I think he chooses to do this because he finds acceptance from these animals, and has them as companions to fill the hole in his heart that will not be filled by a real person because they are too afraid to come near him. One day a young girl named Frith approaches Rhayader, in desperate need of help. The writer compares Frith to a nervous bird, cautious and timid. But greater than her fear, was the need to help this injured snow goose with black tipped wings. As the two tend and care for this delicate bird Frith forgot her fears. And Rhayaders mask of ugliness and grotesque fell away, reveling his true self, a self that is not afraid to be vulnerable and to let others in. But as the Snow goose finally leaves, so does Frith. And Rhayader once again is cut off from the outside world. I think at this point he may be feeling as though the only reason Frith had continued to visit was for the snow goose, not for his company. He will probably now be feeling more alone than ever. Because he has actually experienced the comfort of another, and had grown very fond of Frith.
Years past, Frith is a child no longer. Then one day The Snow Goose returned, bringing with it the almost forgotten friendship between Frith and Rhayader, and their bond grew stronger than ever. They are so absorbed with on and other that they grow oblivious to the war occurring around them.
Rhayader intends to sail his boat to Dunkirk
The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico is a story about a misunderstood man who has been driven into isolation because of his physical deformities. Though his heart is pure and kind, people cannot seem to look past his disfigured appearance. He was only ever seen as "That queer painter chap that lives down at the lighthouse". He is a lonely man who is filled with compassion, and a love he is so longing to share. I admire Philip Rhayader because even though society judges him so harshly he still sees the world with such beauty.
Rhayader enjoys caring for birds, I think he chooses to do this because he finds acceptance from these animals, and has them as companions to fill the hole in his heart that will not be filled by a real person because they are too afraid to come near him. One day a young girl named Frith approaches Rhayader, in desperate need of help. The writer compares Frith to a nervous bird, cautious and timid. But greater than her fear, was the need to help this injured snow goose with black tipped wings. As the two tend and care for this delicate bird Frith forgot her fears. And Rhayaders mask of ugliness and grotesque fell away, reveling his true self, a self that is not afraid to be vulnerable and to let others in. But as the Snow goose finally leaves, so does Frith. And Rhayader once again is cut off from the outside world. I think at this point he may be feeling as though the only reason Frith had continued to visit was for the snow goose, not for his company. He will probably now be feeling more alone than ever. Because he has actually experienced the comfort of another, and had grown very fond of Frith.
Years past, Frith is a child no longer. Then one day The Snow Goose returned, bringing with it the almost forgotten friendship between Frith and Rhayader, and their bond grew stronger than ever. They are so absorbed with on and other that they grow oblivious to the war occurring around them.
Rhayader intends to sail his boat to Dunkirk