‘Birdshooting Season’ by Olive Senior

Themes:-
● Nature
● Patriarchal Societies
● Gender Roles
● Childhood Experiences
● Childhood Curiosity
● Female Gentless vs Male Ruthlessness

Literary Devices:-
1. Metaphor- ‘the men make marriages with their guns’- This reveals to readers
what a close ‘relation’ the men had with their guns since they were needed
so much for birdshooting. It also shows that the men might not have cared
for their wives as much as they cared for their guns. This helps to develop
the theme of Gender Roles as it shows one of the aspects of a man’s role.
2. Imagery- The poet’s use of diction gives a vivid image of the men going out
to hunt. We can also clearly visualize how the children were looking at their
fathers leave, while shivering in the cold. It also develops the themes of
Childhood Experiences and Childhood Curiosity.
3. Contrast- This is shown in how the men and women spend their nights. ‘All
night long countless women stir their brews’ while ‘the men drink white
rum neat’. It also develops the Theme of Gender roles by showing these
differences. Moreover, it says that ‘Little boys longing to grow up
birdhunters too’ while ‘Little girls whispering: Fly Birds Fly.’ This reveals
the rough nature of boys compared to the gentle nature of the girls. It also
develops the theme of Female Gentless vs Male Ruthlessness

The tone is a reflective one, much like a person looking back at their
experiences and the mood is a calm and sobre one.