# What Jealousy and Possessiveness means in The Little White Bird

> The narrator exhibits intense jealousy toward Mary and later toward Oliver, competing for David's affection, while Mary's possessiveness over David and the narrator's rivalry with her underscore the theme of possessive love.

## Explanation

The narrator exhibits intense jealousy toward Mary and later toward Oliver, competing for David's affection, while Mary's possessiveness over David and the narrator's rivalry with her underscore the theme of possessive love.

The narrator's possessive attachment to David and his jealousy of Mary's role as mother, leading him to create the fictional Timothy and engage in a secret battle of wits.

The narrator's plan to 'burrow under Mary's influence' and take David from her reflects intense jealousy and possessive love.

Irene's jealousy of the narrator's influence over David, and David's striking of another boy to assert his claim, both illustrate possessive feelings.

The narrator's competitive comparison of David and Porthos reveals a possessive attachment to both, as well as jealousy toward Mary's influence.

## Links

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