The Little White Bird · Theme
Jealousy and Possessiveness
How The Little White Bird develops Jealousy and Possessiveness.
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.
Where it surfaces
- The Fight for Timothy
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.
- XI: The Runaway Perambulator
The narrator's plan to 'burrow under Mary's influence' and take David from her reflects intense jealousy and possessive love.
- XII: The Pleasantest Club in London
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.
- XX: David and Porthos Compared
The narrator's competitive comparison of David and Porthos reveals a possessive attachment to both, as well as jealousy toward Mary's influence.
- XXIII: Pilkington’s
The narrator feels jealous of Oliver Bailey's influence over David and struggles to regain David's attention, ultimately using storytelling to reassert his place.
- XXIV: Barbara
The narrator's jealousy of Mary's impending motherhood and his possessive attitude toward David drive his vengeful plan to write 'The Little White Bird.'