The Role of Women

The Birds follows one family’s struggle for survival during an unexpected bird attack. Although the story focuses on the entire family, Mrs. Hocken (the wife and mother) is portrayed as a weak, helpless woman. While this portrayal might be jarring to modern readers, this representation of women was commonplace during the time of the story’s publication. Also, the fact that Nat cannot openly communicate with his wife adds to the overwhelming isolation he feels. Throughout the story, Nat withholds information from his wife, treating her the same way he treats his young children during the attacks. Nat makes decisions, such as moving the mattresses downstairs, without discussion or explanation. He withholds information, like his fears that the family doesn’t have enough food to last the week. He belittles her ideas on how to cope with the attacks, such as her suggestion that...