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What is the significance of the rooks?
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The rooks are the gatekeepers to Cal’s property and the new kind of life style he is entering into. They are symbolic of the people of Ardnakelty. Cal tries to make friends with the rooks by giving them food but they will only come so close to him whether food is involved or not. As soon as he leaves the area they take his food with no remorse. They prepare Cal for how difficult it is going to be to be accepted into this new community. Just as he must be patient with the rooks he must be patient with the locals. He needs to emulate the rooks. To observe, be patient, listen, and learn. Then act with caution.
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I think the rooks represent Mart and his lads who close ranks to protect the status quo and watch Cal to make sure that he doesn’t upset that status quo. The birds are gregarious, but do not take to strangers, evidenced by the abandoned nest in a neighboring tree where “some bird, infringed on their mysterious laws and got taught a lesson.” Mart appears neighborly, but is really keeping an eye on Cal until he can be sure Cal can be one of them.
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I love your example and reminder of this quote Nancy.
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I think the rooks are Cal’s Greek Chorus. They are commenting on his situation, on the issues before him and, as Libby notes, the people of Ardnakelty. They are a bridge between the natural world and Cal’s experience of his new home. They set the emotional tone of the story especially from Cal’s point of view. They come and go as Cal struggles with his search for Brendan and his search for himself. On my first read, they seemed like part of the scenery, as much a description of the landscape as the rabbits, the mountains and the hedges. Now I think they are more characters than scenery.
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Rooks are often seen as symbols of guidance, because they are intelligent, have good problem solving skills, and are adaptable. I see them telling Cal that he has to solve this problem and learn to adapt to the rules of his new society?
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I, too, think that the rooks mirror the residents of Arknekelty. Cal has moved into their territory; they treat him with a certain amount of superiority, caution/mistrust, and rough humor. They will take what they can from him if it’s to their benefit, but they also seem to get the measure of him eventually and accept his place among them— as long as he continues to know his place and respects their own.
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Interesting comments, all! I appreciate the thoughtfulness of Tana French’s writing with respect to the rooks, and, in particular, the opening scene of the rooks ganging up on the rabbit.
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Excellent insights from everyone! Throughout the book, the rooks (as Susan A and others points out) mirror the villagers and provide foreshadowing. Cal is wrong when he thinks Ireland is without its feral creatures and lack of dangers – they are just presented in the birds he sees every day. Like the rooks, the villagers are watchful, playful, curious, suspicious and can hold a grudge. He can make an enemy of them or they can be benevolent and give him gifts. What Cal finds in the village is a complicated social pecking order and he discovers that if you try and cross over into “insider business” there are serious problems.
He’s trying to win over the trust of the rooks, leaving them offerings etc to become their friends and have them give him presents. He does help one stray rook who’s been cast out of the group and is getting pecked – Trey. She brings him gifts, just not the shiny ones he’s expecting. And Noreen, Mart, Lena all slowly give him signs of friendships and give him gifts as well.
However, Cal also discovers the rooks will turn on him if he’s weak or does something they don’t like. At one point he notes that the rooks are “laughing at him”. Later, Mart and his pals poke fun at him in the pub. The villagers will mock someone like Lord Muck who thinks too “high and mighty” of themselves, but the mocking devolves into threats and violence if they think someone has stepped out of line. Just as Cal observes the rooks pecking and eating the flesh of a rabbit, Mart and his gang beat up Cal and kill Brendan. So the rooks are a wonderful allusion to the village.
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Love this, Tara, with the people being rooks.
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