FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING)

Flight - Doris Lessing

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Background information: Doris Lessing (1919-2013)
Full name: Doris May Lessing

Original name: Doris May Tayler

Pen name: Jane Somers

A British-Zimbabwean novelist

One of the major fiction writers of the second of the 20th century

One of the vividly representative literary figures of our times

“A feminist” writer

Focal topics:

Communism

Racism

Feminism

Notable works
“Children of Violence”

“The Cleft”

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 1

 “The Golden Notebook”

“The Grass Is Singing”

“The Memoirs of a Survivor”

“The Sweetest Dream”

“Time Bites”

PLOT SUMMARY
In the late afternoon of a summer day, the old man was taking care of pigeons in his garden

He got angry when he saw his granddaughter Alice waiting for her man

He caught his bird back and confronted Alice

He asked her many questions and got angry with her manner

He conflicted with Alice and asked his daughter to be on his side → conflict

He became miserable when knowing that Alice would marry the next month → conflict

He cried → climax

Then, he got a present from Alice’s lover and he changed his attitude

He put his present into the dovecote and released his favorite bird with the observation of
the young couple at the gate and his daughter on the veranda

He watched the bird soaring its wings in the sky and Alice crying in the shadow of
night → resolution/conclusion

“Flight” is a short story about an old grandpa living with his family in South Africa. Much to his
chagrin, his granddaughter Alice plans on marrying the postmaster’s son - Steve. In a childlike
manner, Alice’s grandpa harshly criticizes their upcoming marriage and refuses to let go of her
last granddaughter who he fears will leave him. Eventually, Alice’s grandpa learns to accept
Alice‘s marriage and realizes the importance of moving on in life. The story begins when an old
man was playing with a young pigeon. Then, he sees Alice waiting for Steve, and the old man
argues with Alice about her behavior. The old man feels that his youngest granddaughter is still
much too young to be married and is not willing to let go of her. His attitude seems grumpy but
deep down inside it hurt him very much to see his granddaughter growing up and with her
boyfriend Steven. In an effort to stop the marriage, the old man comes to complain to his

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 2

 daughter, Alice’s mother. But the young girl’s mother has a totally different point of view as she
believes that her daughter found a good home and she is old enough to get married. As for the
young girl herself, she feels nothing will ever change even if she got married. She will always
love her grandfather. When Steven gives the old man a present of a new pigeon to take care of,
the old man realizes he can let his favorite pigeon go and take flight. At the end of the story,
when the old man agrees to let go of his granddaughter, he takes out his favorite pigeon from the
cage and lets it fly away. This symbolizes that he has learned to let go of his beloved
granddaughter and is letting the young take its first flight into the real world.

CONFLICTS:
Man vs Himself /Herself
The Grandfather: This conflict is strongly present in the grandfather. He struggles with his
possessiveness towards Alice and his inability to let go, representing the wider challenge of
accepting the inevitable changes that come with life.

Alice: While not explicitly explored, Alice likely experiences internal conflict balancing
respect for her grandfather with her desire for independence and a life of her own.

Man vs Man:
The Grandfather vs Alice: This is the central conflict of the story. Their opposing desires
and views on her marriage create constant friction and arguments.

Generational Conflict: The most prominent conflict is between the traditional values of the
grandfather and his modern outlook of Alice. This clash highlights changing social norms
and the challenges faced by different generations regarding marriage and family dynamics.

The Grandfather vs Lucy: Lucy's frustration with her father's behavior and her attempts to
reason with him create another layer of character-based conflict.

3. Man vs society:

The story subtly suggests a conflict between the grandfather's traditional views and the
changing social landscape. His disapproval of Steven's family might hint at his resistance to
evolving social norms regarding marriage and class.

→ These interwoven conflicts create a dynamic and engaging narrative, prompting readers to
consider the complexities of family relationships, generational differences, and the struggle to

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 3

 balance tradition with personal growth.

SETTING
Time:
The time setting of "Flight" by Doris Lessing is primarily focused on a single evening
during the late summer.

While the story doesn't explicitly state the time, various details throughout the narrative
point toward this specific timeframe:

The story begins in the late afternoon: “Content, he rested the bird lightly on his
chest, and leaned against a tree, gazing out beyond the dovecote into the landscape of a
late afternoon. “

It references the approaching evening: “A whirr and a spatter of wings, and a cloud
of birds rose into the evening from the dovecote.”

That day marked the end of summer: “Her smile made him see her, as he had every
evening of this warm end-of-summer month,”

No mention of other days: Throughout the story, there are no references to events
happening on other days, further suggesting the story unfolds within a single evening.

→ Therefore, the time setting is mainly focused on a single evening in late summer

This time setting likely holds several layers of meaning:

a. Transition and Endings: Both the ”late afternoon” and the “late summer” symbolize
transitions and endings. The story revolves around the grandfather's release of the pigeon,
which can be seen as a metaphor for letting go of something cherished. The time setting
reinforces this theme of impermanence and the need to accept change.

b. Reflection and Contemplation: The quietness and introspective nature of late afternoon
provide a space for reflection. This is evident in the grandfather's contemplation about his
life choices and the changing relationships around him.

c. Heightened Emotional Intensity: The ending of a day and a season can often create a sense
of poignancy (sadness) and heightened emotional intensity. This can be seen in the tense
interactions between the grandfather and the granddaughter, adding depth to their emotional
exchange.

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 d. Shifting Dynamics: The approaching evening can also represent a shift in dynamics
between the characters. The grandfather's initial hostility towards the boy gradually melts
away, culminating in the release of the pigeon at the end, symbolizing a transformation in
their relationship.

e. Open-Ended Interpretation: The lack of specific details allows readers to connect the time
setting to their own experiences. This creates a sense of universality and allows each reader
to interpret the story's themes based on their own understanding of endings, transitions, and
reflection.

→ Therefore, the time setting in "Flight" contributes significantly to the story's thematic
exploration of transition, contemplation, and emotional intensity, while maintaining a universal
appeal that resonates with readers across diverse backgrounds and time periods.

Place:
The setting of "Flight" by Doris Lessing is ambiguous and could be interpreted as universal.
While the story doesn't explicitly mention specific locations, subtle clues suggest a warm
climate:

a. Warmer climate

Wooden veranda: This detail points towards a house with an outdoor living space,
potentially common in warmer regions.

“He stumped into the little whitewashed house, hearing the wooden veranda creak angrily under
his feet.”

Frangipani tree: These trees are native to tropical and subtropical regions.

“His eyes traveled homewards along this road until he saw his granddaughter
swinging on the gate underneath a frangipani tree.”

However, the story doesn't offer enough details to pinpoint a specific country or continent.
The author deliberately avoids specific geographic markers, allowing the story to resonate
with a wider audience across different cultural contexts. This ambiguity allows readers to
visualize the setting based on their own experiences and understanding.

b. Lack of specific location:

The story avoids any specific geographical markers like city names, countries, or landmarks.

The story can connect with a wider audience across different cultural contexts.

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 Readers can visualize the setting based on their own experiences and understanding.

→ Therefore, while the climate leans towards a warmer region, the specific location of "Flight"
remains open to interpretation and universality seems to be the author's intended purpose.
"Flight" by Doris Lessing is a poignant exploration of familial relationships and the themes of
transition, contemplation, and emotional intensity are intricately woven into its setting. The story
takes place over the course of a single evening during late summer, a time period symbolizing
endings and transitions. The lack of specific temporal markers beyond this evening allows for a
universal interpretation, inviting readers to project their own experiences onto the narrative.
The setting's ambiguity extends to its geographic location. While subtle clues such as the wooden
veranda and frangipani tree suggest a warmer climate, the story deliberately avoids specific
geographical markers. This lack of specificity enhances the story's universality, allowing readers
from diverse cultural backgrounds to connect with its themes on a personal level.

The choice of a warm summer evening as the backdrop for the narrative serves multiple
purposes. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of transition and endings, mirroring the grandfather's
contemplation of his own mortality and the changing dynamics within his family. Secondly, it
heightens the emotional intensity of the interactions between characters, particularly the tense
exchange between the grandfather and his granddaughter. The impending darkness of evening
adds a sense of urgency to their confrontation, underscoring the significance of their emotional
reckoning.

Moreover, the setting's lack of specificity encourages readers to focus on the story's universal
themes rather than its particulars. By omitting specific locations and temporal markers, Lessing
invites readers to reflect on the broader implications of the characters' experiences. The story
becomes a canvas onto which readers can project their own interpretations of transition,
contemplation, and emotional intensity.

In conclusion, the setting of "Flight" plays a crucial role in shaping the story's themes and
emotional resonance. By situating the narrative within a single evening during late summer and
avoiding specific geographical markers, Lessing creates a setting that is both universal and
deeply evocative. Through its ambiguity, the setting invites readers to engage with the story's
themes on a personal level, making "Flight" a timeless and universally resonant piece of
literature.

CHARACTERS
1. Grandfather: main character, round character, dynamic character

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 Unnamed: → The central character in the story has no name, “the old man”. He is
anonymous from the beginning to the end. Doris Lessing lets the main character go
nameless to show that what happens to this character could happen to anyone. Moreover, the
old man seems to be a symbol of the old generation who always wants to keep their children
in their way.

→ the writer wants to create a universal character who represents all the grandfathers in the
world. It means one represents all kinds of grandfathers.

Old: → The psychology of the elderly: The old people are much afraid of loneliness,
sickness, poor health, and separation from their family members. They want to have their
grandchildren around, don’t want to be forgotten, or abandoned, love to be loved, love to be
taken care of, and love to have a big group of grandchildren. They want to have a family
reunion.

(over) protective: → interferes with her freedom of choice, her privacy, and her secrets, and
he is unfair to her boyfriend. He secretly follows his granddaughter everywhere. She goes on
a date with Steven, he follows her, observes her, and knows her secret of intimacy with a
young boy, keeps annoying Alice, but she doesn’t want to be observed → Alice feels
annoyed → He unconsciously creates conflicts, misunderstandings, and gaps. And because
of the family conflicts, the generation gaps, and some misunderstandings, Alice treats him
impolitely → she becomes a kind of rebellious, disobedient, naughty, and stubborn → these
characteristics annoy the old man, he gets angry → hot-tempered and spiteful

A bit hot-tempered/spiteful (han hoc): → He appears to want to hurt the people he loves.
He uses many rude words to call Alice - 'rubbish'; 'impudent'. We can say that he is spiteful.-
'Rubbish,' he shouted. 'Rubbish. An impudent little bit of rubbish!'

NOTE: When the writer did not use “a bit”, it was unfair for all grandfathers

Possessive and selfish: → He always wants to keep her, have control over her, and never let
her leave, it shows that he is very possessive and selfish- He said: `Think you're old enough
to go courting, hey?' or 'Think you want to leave home, hey? Think you can go running
around the fields at night?'

A bit possessive: but it’s quite understandable because he loves Alice so much that he
doesn’t want to share, it doesn’t mean he is selfish, it just means that things are so important
to him. It’s hard for him to share.

→ reason why he doesn’t want Alice to get married at her 18 and he’s not selfish:

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 + He says that: “She’s eighteen. Eighteen!” → To the old man, Alice is still a very young girl and
she shouldn’t get married at her young age → she needs to gain more experience, grow up
spiritually and mentally, have strong financial support, be financially independent, can’t be a
good wife, a good mother, can’t enjoy her own happiness,…
+ Marriage life is not giggling, running, kissing, hugging (’But it’s not like that at all,’ he
muttered miserably. ‘It’s not like that. Why can’t you see? Running, and giggling, and kissing.
You’ll come to something quite different) → means more a lot of duties and responsibilities to
fulfill, a lot of burdens to tackle. You have to earn money, raise your children up, and take care of
2 families; you have to be independent and make informed decisions, and no one supports you,
no one shares, just you. And in a marriage, you don’t run around the garden ⇒ family abuse
⇒ All of these, are because he fears that he will have to live without his granddaughter. He has
many grandchildren but they all left him and never come back. He thought of the other three
girls, transformed in a few months from charming petulant spoiled children into serious young
matrons. Now, the old man just has one granddaughter and she will get married to Steven, and he
will take her away, so he wants to prevent them. It may also be a case that the grandfather does
not like change. With old age comes stubbornness and a lack of will to change one’s habits.

Childish and Sensitive: get hurt easily, afraid of loneliness, sickness

→ Acts like a child who has lost his favorite toy, who wants to be met his demands
→ “She’s the last,” he mourned. “Can't we keep her a bit longer?”

→ “He stumped his feet alternately, thump, thump, on the hollow wooden floor”
→ Cries because he knows it cannot be the way that he wants:

→ “His eyes stung”, “Wet spread down over his chin and he took out a handkerchief and
mopped his whole face
→ Needs care and affection:

→ “his wet eyes and his misery”

→ For me?' said the old man, letting the drops shake off his chin. 'For me?'

Afraid of his loneliness

Experienced

Thoughtful:

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 → The conversation with his daughter makes him realize that it’s time to let his granddaughter
go, he cannot be selfish anymore, and he has to think of the girl’s happiness.
→ He cries when he is alone, and he cries harder when he receives the bird from the teens →
tears of acceptance

→ Teaching (your) grandmother to suck eggs → his joke implies that he accepts and gives up his
selfish desire. Shuts the new bird in a box and takes out his favorite 'Now you can go, he said
aloud.

→ In the end, he gives up his selfish desire. Then he shut it in a box and took out his favorite
'Now you can go, he said aloud The granddaughter → thoughtful

Caring and Kind: The old man keeps his pigeons; it shows that he has a kind and caring
nature - “Pretty, pretty, pretty, ‘he said, as he grasped the bird and drew it down, feeling the
cold coral claws tighten around his finger.

Love his family → devoted

Actions: → Now, the old man just has one granddaughter and she will get married to
Steven, and he will take her away, so he wants to prevent them. He loves his granddaughter
a lot but he doesn’t know how to show his feeling. He doesn't show his feelings by words,
he just uses actions – but in a very unfriendly way. He wants everybody to take care of him
and understand his private thoughts, but he can’t speak out. The old man has to decide
whether to keep his granddaughter or let her go - He stumped his feet alternately, thump,
thump, on the hollow wooden floor and shouted: 'She'll marry him. I'm telling you, she'll be
marrying him next!

He loves his granddaughter a lot but he doesn’t know how to show his feeling. He
doesn't show his feelings by words, he just uses actions – but in a very unfriendly way. He
wants everybody to take care of him and understand his private thoughts, but he can’t speak
out. The old man has to decide whether to keep his granddaughter or let her go.

2. Alice: main character, round character, dynamic character

old man’s granddaughter

favorite granddaughter/the last

young

childlike, childish, immature

innocent

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 cute/lovely/pretty: Appears as a delightful and happy girl, waiting for his boyfriend

Compared to frangipani trees like the flowers of it

carefree: her action: swing, run, laugh

a bit naughty/rebellious/disobedient: make him sad…, find him annoying → Why his
objection to her marriage

sympathetic: tries to cheer him up

responsibility: She cries at the end she is happy to marry the man she loves with her
grandfather’s approval and mother’s support. Too happy → cry

⇒ Tears of sadness: leaving her family, they miss her, they will be lonely, feel thankful and
grateful for her grandfather’s understanding → helps her to enjoy her life

irresponsible/stubborn and disobedient: step out the gate without saying goodbye.

→ From the gate the girl shouted: 'Go and tell! Go on, what are you waiting for?' She finds her
grandpa old-fashioned. She is rude towards him, ignoring his reprimands and the threats that he
will tell her mother she is waiting for her boyfriend.

⇒ The old man's granddaughter (Alice) is a carefree, young girl- 'She's eighteen. Eighteen. She
is in love, but her love somehow makes her selfish. From the gate, the girl shouted: 'Go and tell!
Go on, what are you waiting
for?' She finds her grandpa old-fashioned. She is rude towards him, ignoring his reprimands and
the threats that he will tell her mother she is waiting for her boyfriend. 'Tell away!' she said,
laughing, and went back to the gate. However, she is also loving and considerate. This is shown
when she gives her grandpa a bird. At the end of the story, Alice cries because she feels happy
that her relationship will be turned into a new leaf, but she also regrets that she lost his childhood
and will have to leave her home. She was staring at

3. Steven: minor character, flat character, static character

He is an Alice’s boyfriend.

Steven’s appearance in the (42) old man’s eyes:

Red complexion: “red brought it for you”

Physical appearance: violent-bodied youth

His father’s job: “son of postmaster.”

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 His character:

Thoughtful: Give the old man a present pigeon “Steven brought it for you”

Kind: despite the man’s annoying attitude, he is still kind to him

→ “We’re glad you like it”,

→ “They watched him as he held it on his wrist, stroking its soft, sun-warmed back,
watching the wings lift and balance.”
→“The bird was proof of it, they said, from their lying happy eyes, as they thrust it on him.
'There, Grandad, it's yours. It's for you.' ”
→“They hung about him, affectionate, concerned, trying to charm away his wet eyes and
his misery. They took his arms and directed him to the shelf of birds, one on each side,
enclosing him, petting him, saying wordlessly that nothing would be changed, nothing
could change, and that they would be with him always.
⇒ He is also a man of tender warmth and deep feelings
⇒ And he truly loves Alice
⇒ He is expected to be a fine husband
sympathetic: he doesn’t hate the old man but tries to prove to him that he is suitable for
the family, he’s sympathetic.

Steven is Alice’s boyfriend. In the story, we see him through the lens of the old men. The old
man finds things wrong with him (his red complexion, his physical appearance, and his
father’s job). The reader is not likely to share this disapproval. Lucy expects him to be as
good a husband as her other three girls have. And he is thoughtful enough to give the old
man a present of a pigeon.

4. Lucy

Lucy is the old man’s daughter and Alice’s mother. She is depicted as a woman growing up
in her appearance ( “square-fronted” ) her actions (she looks after her father) and the way in
which her father thinks of her ( “that woman” ). Her husband is absent (perhaps she is a
widow or divorcee, but there is no evidence to tell the reader more, save that it is Lucy who
gives Alice permission to marry). But we know that Lucy married at seventeen “and never
regretted it”. She tries to reassure the old man about Alice. She has already agreed to her
marrying Steven, and tells her father this in the story

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 POINT OF VIEW
Third-person point of view: "Flight" by Doris Lessing is primarily narrated from a third-
person limited point of view (also called limited omniscient). This means:

The story is told by an external narrator, not a character within the story.

The narrator has access to the thoughts and feelings of one character, primarily the
grandfather.

The reader experiences the story largely through the grandfather's perspective,
understanding his thoughts, emotions, and motivations.

While the narrator provides some insights into other characters, such as Alice and Lucy,
their thoughts and feelings are not directly revealed, and we only understand them
through their actions and dialogue, filtered through the grandfather's perception.

This specific point of view choice serves several purposes:

Focuses on the grandfather's internal conflict: By granting access to the

grandfather's inner world, the reader gains a deeper understanding of his struggles with
accepting change, his possessiveness towards Alice, and his own mortality.

Creates an air of mystery: Limiting the perspective keeps the thoughts and
motivations of other characters, particularly Alice, slightly veiled, adding a layer of
mystery and intrigue to the narrative.

Encourages reader participation: By not explicitly stating everything, the limited

perspective encourages the reader to actively interpret the story, consider the characters'
motivations beyond the surface, and draw their own conclusions.

While primarily focused on the grandfather's perspective, the limited point of view allows
for occasional shifts in focus to briefly highlight other characters' emotions or reactions.
This can be seen in specific instances where the narrator describes Alice's smile or Lucy's
concerned glances, providing limited glimpses into their inner states without fully revealing
their thoughts.

→ Overall, the use of a third-person limited point of view allows for a deep dive into the
grandfather's perspective, while still leaving room for interpretation and engagement from the
reader.
→ objective

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 → limited to the old man

Time: late afternoon - the end of a summer month → evening → shelter of night

→ afternoon
→ summer

→ the end of a month

→ evening
→ shelter of night

Place: house with a garden and a fence around

→ house with a dovecote

→ garden

→ fence
→ gate

THEMES
freedom:

→ The main theme in this story is freedom. To illustrate this theme the author uses mood, we can
see that in the end, the freedom of the birds makes Alice cry. Also, in the text, the flight of the
pigeons symbolizes freedom. In this short story, the title "Flight" signifies more than one thing,
the flight of the pigeons and the 'flight' of the granddaughter, her escape to adulthood, and a life
of her own, she becomes now free to fly into the world like the pigeons.
→ The story shows how important it is for Alice to be allowed the freedom to live her life as she
wishes. This theme stems from the contrast between the action of the old man at the beginning
and the action at the end of the story. At the beginning of the story, the old man brings out his
favorite pigeon and plays with it. He holds out his wrist for the bird to take flight, then he catches
it again at the moment the bird is about to take flight. The author uses the old man’s favorite bird
to symbolize Alice. The old man wants to keep the pigeon as well as Alice by his side, he doesn’t
want Alice to have other relationships, exactly with Steven. It’s the loss of freedom. At the end of
the story, the old man finally learns to accept the fact that he has to let go of his granddaughter as
a law of life. That the pigeon flies means that the birds can fly anywhere they want and Alice can

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 be free to marry anyone she loves without any objection. The flight of the pigeon and the flight
of Alice are flights to freedom.

changes

family conflicts

family love:

→ The short story “Flight” shows how much the granddad loves his granddaughter. At first, the
old man disagrees with the fact that his granddaughter is going to get married early, and he
prevents his granddaughter from having a relationship with Steven by telling Lucy. His love for
Alice is so great that he just wants to keep Alice by his side as the way he keeps the pigeon in the
story. The old man cries after knowing that her granddaughter is going to marry next month. His
tears show his love for his granddaughter. This is family love. This theme is also proved by the
love of Alice to the old man. A young pigeon that Steven gives to the old man represents the
attention of Alice and Steven to him. A pigeon is a kind of his favorite bird, so giving a young
pigeon as a present to the old man proves that Alice and Steven notice and pay attention to him
and they know what the old man likes and loves. The young couple still cares for him and they
don’t leave him alone because they give him the right present. It also shows the love of Alice and
Steven, especially Alice to the old man-the family love.

generation gaps

rites of passage

cycle/rule of life: growing up and leaving home

→ Most people have to deal with growing up and leaving their homes. In the short story, Alice
cannot continue to live with her grandfather, she must mature and marry in order to establish her
own family because this is the rule of life. Furthermore, young people have to leave their
families in order to live their own lives.
→ The story revolves around Alice and her reactions to her decision to leave home; her mother,
Lucy, sees it as entirely normal and optimistic, stating that she 'never regretted' her marriage and
that her other daughters had done well.
→ Alice is looking forward to leaving her home. She is carefree, swinging on gates and singing
while waiting for her boyfriend. She has everything in life to look forward to and is unable to
understand the feelings of her grandfather. However, at the end of the story, she perhaps starts to
comprehend the heartbreak that leaving home can cause, and she can now finally know the
feelings of her granddad.

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 14

 → The old man is very negative about Alice leaving home. He sees it as the end of his life; he
will be left 'uncherished and alone' with his daughter. We know he was upset when his own
daughter went to marry, and every time one of the girls goes, he finds them 'crying and
miserable'.

law of life: 2 laws:

for all interactions: we will be born to be free and pursue our happiness, not be kept at
home, love and care → We can give advice but not decide others’ life

No one goes against the cycle of life: it goes systematically like a clock, and only 1
direction (born - grow - die) cannot get back to the past, cannot be born again but can be
mentally young if we change.

family reunion: pigeon (homing birds) never leave their nest, and fly back to their
dovecot some days → family will reunite

protect your own freedom

Nature:

→ There are a lot of references to nature. The most obvious is the pigeons. They appear in the
first sentence, as the old man looks after his dovecote. There are many other references - from
their claws to how they fly. And the story comes to an end with them settling back in the garden.
→ There are many references to the garden, too - from the 'frangipani tree' to the color of the
soil. These can be detailed, like 'the brittle shadows of the frangipani tree' or a stream of rich
green grass'.

→ Flight includes references to the wider world as well, such as shadows, sunlight, and sky.
Nature is clearly important to both the writer and the characters: they live in the countryside and
it is important to their daily lives.

Contrast and Comparisons

→ The story contains a number of contrasts, such as the views of the different generations on
leaving home.
→ We also see a contrast between how Lucy and the old man behave: he is much more like a
child. In some ways, even Alice behaves in a more mature manner: she does not 'thump' her feet
or shout like him.
→ There are also a lot of comparisons between nature and the characters. The most obvious
relates to the pigeons. They act as symbols, so the pigeon at the start is just like Alice: young, the

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 15

 grandfather's favorite, and 'pretty', but straining to fly away.
→ The old man can control the bird by locking it away, but he cannot control Alice. When he
releases the pigeon, it is like releasing Alice. Both must move away to make their own way in the
world.

→ Alice's legs are like the stems on the tree, while the old man's fingers are 'curling like claws
into his palm'. In other words, his fingers are like his pigeons' claws. Meanwhile, Alice and
Steven are 'like puppies on the grass'.
→ These constant references to nature and comparisons can give the impression that the
characters are simply part of nature. They also make us believe it is natural for Alice to want to
leave home, just as it is natural for her grandfather to wish her to stay.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
CRITERIA CHARACTERISTICS

sentence length average few short → effects

simple with repetition, parallel, and

sentence structure
inversion

word choice claw croon wordlessly

figure(s) of speech simile, metaphor, symbolism, etc.

title flight → birds → all the character

Meaning of the title

The title of the story:

→ The metaphor image of "flight" stands for the human impulse, freedom, escape, and
liberation:

+ The flight of Alice: from childhood to adulthood

+ The flight of the old man: from reality to his refusing to accept that his granddaughter is
growing up
⇒ multiple meanings as it denotes the real flight of one of the old man’s pigeons; the
metaphorical image of flight representing freedom; the flight of his granddaughter from
childhood to adulthood; and his flight from reality — refusing to face up to the truth that his
granddaughter is growing up.

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 16

 Figure of speech
2.1. Short direct sentence

Short, direct sentences are used to stress points and indicate the characters’ mood.

→ “Pretty, pretty, pretty,”

→ “Waiting for Steven, hey?”
→ “Think you're old enough to go courting, hey?”
→ “Hey!”

The old man thinks Alice is too young to start dating, and it seems from his tone of voice that he
opposes the relationship between the two of them. He challenges her to end that relationship in
his speech as a grandfather.
2.2. Diction (=word choice)
The diction plays a crucial role in conveying the story's themes and atmosphere. Lessing's choice
of words reflects the African setting and the psychological state of the protagonist

A first paragraph describing the birds in a positive diction begins the story: rainbows, young,
bright

Additionally, the garden's tranquility and beauty are emphasized by “rich, green, blossoms”

The opening scene portrays a peaceful and harmonious setting, with the old man enjoying the
tranquility of his home and the company of his family.
→ An optimistic introduction conveys the old man's initial state at the beginning of the story:
happy and content

Old fashioned phrase: “courting”

→ Lessing illustrated the generational divide between the elderly man and his daughter by using
this word.
2.3. Confrontational language:

Use confrontational language: with exclamatory sentences, show the old man's anger and
disappointment.
→ “Rubbish. An impudent little bit of rubbish!

→ “Hey!”

2.4. Direct speech

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 17

 Direct speech portrays the awkward relationship between the old man and his daughter.
→ 'Waiting for Steven, hey?'
→ `Think you're old enough to go courting, hey?'

2.5 Adverbs:

Adverbs can indeed be used to emphasize the emotions of characters in literature, adverbs
modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often providing additional context or intensity to
the action or feeling being described. In Lessing's story, adverbs were employed to convey
the intensity or depth of emotions experienced by the characters e.g. 'incredulously', coldly'
→
'You've said they can marry?' he said incredulously.
→ 'Yes, Dad, why not?' she said coldly and took up her
sewing.

2.6. Metaphor

Compare the flight (of the birds) to the freedom of the

granddaughter as she moves away from the family and grows up.
→ In the title 'flight'
→ He deliberately held out his wrist for the bird to take flight, and caught it again at the
moment it spread its wings.

Compare the crooning of the birds to the (66) happiness of Alice

→ ‘The light happy sound mingled with the crooning of the birds, and his anger mounted.’

Compare the image of “his fingers curling like claw into his palm” to his anger when seeing
Alice and Steven
→ His fingers curled like claws into his palm.

In "Flight" by Doris Lessing, the metaphorical description of sunlight breaking on the doves'
grey breasts into small rainbows is a vivid image that captures the beauty and serenity of the
scene. By likening the reflection of light on the doves' chests to rainbows, the author creates
a poetic and evocative image that conveys a sense of wonder and awe. This metaphor not
only enhances the sensory experience of the reader but also adds depth to the old man's
observations, highlighting his appreciation for the natural world and the fleeting moments
of beauty in his surroundings.

The sunlight broke on their grey breasts into small rainbows.

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 18

 The flight of the birds represents a sense of freedom and liberation from earthly constraints.
Similarly, the granddaughter's departure from the family symbolizes her journey toward
independence and self-discovery.

Moreover, in this context, the crooning of the birds can be compared to the happiness
experienced by Alice

“The light happy sound mingled with the crooning of the birds, and his anger mounted”

The birds' crooning creates a soothing backdrop to the scene in "Flight," while Alice's
happiness is described as a light, happy sound that adds to the overall atmosphere of joy and
delight.
The crooning of the birds in "Flight" reflects the beauty of the natural world, with the birds'
songs blending harmoniously with the surroundings. Similarly, Alice's happiness in "Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland" is associated with the wonder and enchantment of the fantastical
world she encounters, where even the simplest joys bring her immense pleasure.

The imagery of "his fingers curling like claws into his palm" can be compared to the anger
experienced by the character upon seeing Alice and Steven

This description conveys a sense of inner turmoil and agitation, as the character's anger builds
up and manifests in his body language.
The imagery of claws conveys a sense of aggression and hostility. Just as claws are used by
animals as weapons or tools for defense, the curled fingers symbolize the character's readiness
to lash out or confront the source of his anger
This physical gesture underscores the depth of his emotions and the extent to which he is affected
by the situation.

2.7. Symbolism

Pigeon: represent for Alice

→ Symbolizes the old man’s granddaughter (Alice)

At the beginning of the story, he ' held out his wrist for the bird to take flight, and caught it again
at the moment it spread its wings', although his bird is a homing pigeon. This proves the old
man's strong desire to keep
the bird to himself. Also, he does not believe in the return of the bird once he lets it go. It is just
the same way he reacts to Alice's love affair with Steven

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 19

 + Desire to Keep Close: By holding out his wrist for the bird to take flight and then catching it
again, despite knowing it's a homing pigeon, the old man demonstrates his desire to maintain
control and keep the bird close to him. This action suggests a possessive attitude towards the
bird, similar to how he feels about his family members.
+ Lack of Belief in Return: The fact that the old man doesn't believe the bird will return once he
lets it go indicates a sense of resignation or pessimism. This attitude mirrors his skepticism about
Alice's relationship with Steven, as he may not believe it will endure or bring her happiness in
the long run.

“He stumped his feet alternately, thump, thump, thump, on the hollow wooden floor and
shouted:” She’ll marry him. I’m telling you, she’ll be marrying him next!”
+ Parallel to Alice's Love Affair: Just as the old man struggles to let go of the bird and doubts its
return, he also struggles to accept Alice's growing independence and her romantic relationship
with Steven. Like the bird, Alice represents a part of his life that he's reluctant to release control
over, and he may fear losing her to the outside world

“She’s the last,” he mourned. “Can’t we keep her a bit longer?”

The gate: Symbolizes the transition between home and the outside world, childhood, and
maturity

The gate in "Flight" by Doris Lessing serves as a powerful symbol of transition and the boundary
between different states of being:
+ Transition between Home and the Outside World: The gate represents the boundary between
the familiar comforts of home and the unknown dangers of the outside world. It means leaving
through the gate signifies the departure from the safety and security of family into the
uncertainty of the world. Similarly, returning through the gate marks the reentry into the familiar
yet changed environment of the home.

+ Transition between Childhood and Maturity

The gate also symbolizes the passage from childhood to adulthood. As Alice crosses the
threshold of the gate, she’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, leaving behind
the innocence and dependency of childhood and venturing into the complexities and
responsibilities of adulthood. The gate thus represents a main moment of transition in life.

Alice’s fear: represents both happiness and sadness in different moments of the story

→ Symbolizes her happiness (when her grandfather accepts her love), and sadness (when she
has to leave her family)

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 20

 + Happiness: When Alice's tears fall after her grandfather accepts her love for Steven, it
symbolizes her overwhelming happiness and relief. The tear serves as a physical manifestation of
her emotional release and the joy she feels at being accepted and understood by her grandfather.
It signifies a moment of reconciliation and connection between them, bringing a sense of peace
and fulfillment to Alice.
+ Sadness: Conversely, when Alice sheds tears as she prepares to leave her family and embark
on her own journey, her tears symbolize sadness and heartache. It represents the pain of
separation and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Alice's tear embodies her conflicted emotions
as she grapples with the bittersweet nature of leaving behind her family while also embracing the
promise of new beginnings
Overall, Alice's tear serves as a poignant symbol of the complex and nuanced emotions
experienced by the character throughout the story, reflecting both the highs and lows of her
journey toward independence and self-discovery.

“She was wide-eyed, and pale in the cold shadow, and he saw the tears run shivering off her
face”

The old man: Symbolize the older generation has to struggle against their loneliness, facing
the reality of their children and grandchildren gradually leaving.

+ Loneliness: The old man's solitude and isolation, particularly after the death of his wife, reflect
the loneliness experienced by many elderly individuals. His longing for companionship and
connection is palpable throughout the story, as he grapples with the absence of his family
members and the solitude of his surroundings.
+ Facing Reality of Departure: The old man's interactions with his family members, especially
Alice, underscore his struggle to come to terms with their departure. He is torn between his
desire to hold onto them and the reality of their need for independence and autonomy. His
reluctance to let go reflects the broader experience of older generations facing the departure of
their children and grandchildren as they grow up and pursue their own paths in life.
Overall, the old man in "Flight" serves as a poignant symbol of the challenges faced by the older
generation as they confront the loneliness and loss that often accompany the gradual departure of
their loved ones. His story highlights the complexities of intergenerational relationships and the
enduring bonds that connect families across generations

3. Written in the third person

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 21

 Although Flight is written in the third person, the elderly man's viewpoint is used to tell most of
the story. Doris purposefully writes it this way so that readers can understand the elderly man's
constantly changing attitude from the start of the story to its very conclusion. It reveals to us how
his attitude has evolved from being happy at the start of the story about his favorite to being
angry and bitter upon seeing his granddaughter waiting for her future marriage. It also enables us
to understand how he feels hurt and how his self-image is damaged when everyone is against
him.

FLIGHT (DORIS LESSING) 22