How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers and Other Woodcuts · Chapter
The Hare; The Harrier explained
The Harrier is harassed by the Hare, reversing the typical predator-prey dynamic, and the author expresses delight in seeing the tables turned.
What happens
The Harrier is harassed by the Hare, reversing the typical predator-prey dynamic, and the author expresses delight in seeing the tables turned.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs in the tension between the Ibis’s preserved, sacred death and the…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Humor and Absurdity
The absurd reversal of roles—Hare chasing Harrier—creates a humorous and ironic situation.
Characters to notice
- The Harrier
The Harrier is depicted as desperate and fleeing from the Hare.
- the Birds
The Harrier is a bird of prey, representing the bird category in this reversal.
Key passages
“The Harrier, harassed by the Hare, Presents a picture of despair;”
The Harrier, being chased by the Hare, looks utterly hopeless.
Sets up the central role reversal.
“I love to see the tables turned.”
I enjoy witnessing this reversal of fortunes.
Expresses the author's amusement at the unexpected situation.
