Catherine Called Birdy Analysis

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman is a historical fiction diary because it is about an adolescent girl writing about her life from 1290 to 1291.
II. Setting:
The setting of the plot is in England in the year 1290. In addition, in this society, the people follow a lord. It can be seen that the plot takes place in medieval England due to the presence of the lord. “Begun this 19th day of September in the year of Our Lord 1290, the fourteenth year of my life” (Cushman 3). It is shown that the plot takes place in year 1290, and that the people follow a lord. In addition, “No wonder the baron was willing to consider alliance with a knight’s daughter” (Cushman 92). It is further implied about Catherine’s social background that she the daughter of a knight, who is not as high in society as others.
III. Character:
Catherine is a dynamic character who is also the protagonist of the work. Catherine is a brunette with gray eyes and sun spots on her face. “My eyes are still gray…and my hair brown…The sunspots are still there, dotting

my nose and cheeks like speckles on an egg…” (Cushman 198). Catherine is depicted as a stubborn character. Catherine will not agree to change her perspective on marrying Shaggy Beard even after she receives many blows from her father for arguing. “I considered it and I rejected it. I will not consent” (Cushman 172). It is indirectly implied that Catherine is stubborn and will not change her perspective on marrying Shaggy Beard, she will continue arguing with her father until she gets what she wants. In a situation in which Catherine is affected, she must do what she pleases. When Catherine did not like the suitor, Rolf she drove him away which showed that Catherine was inclined to do anything in order to get what she pleased. “…and tore off away from the manor, away from my father, and thanks be, away from me” (Cushman 22). Catherine father (Lord Rollo), is a round character who is the antagonist. Catherine’s father was described indirectly that he acted absurdly which shows that he doesn’t care about what people thought of him. “…but so offended by my father’ burping and farting and scratching his chest with his knife …” (Cushman 86). Lord Rollo does not care about what anyone, or Catherine has to say. He does as he wills. “He said I would wed Shaggy Beard and to hell with the bear” (Catherine 189). It is implied that Lord Rollo does not care if Catherine is content. Catherine often calls her father “the beast” due to this actions. “…the beast who never speaks to me except with the flat of his hand to my cheek or my rump” (Cushman 3). It is seen that Catherine refers to her father as the beast due to this actions toward her.
IV. Plot:
During the exposition, Catherine states that she is writing due to her brother Edward’s exercise. Catherine writes that she is being watched by her father like a hawk, her father wants Catherine to marry rich man which Catherine does not relish. “I can feel my father’s eyes following me around the hall…” (Cushman 3). The inciting incident of the text is when the Jewish lady tries to teach Catherine a lesson. However, Catherine is too immature to understand its meaning at the time. “What did that mean? She said no more, so finally, confused and more than a little sad, I left them…” (Cushman 17). It is showed that during the inciting incident Catherine wants to be like everyone else, but not herself. In the rising action, Catherine visits Aelis, and there she meets Madame Joanna. Madame Joanna advises Catherine to choose her flights carefully and understand her limitations. “ I flap my wings at times, choose my flights carefully , get things done, understand my limitations, trust in God and a few people, and here I am”(Cushman 106). Madame Joanna tells Catherine to understand what is going and on and to think before she acts. In addition, in the rising action Catherine’s father finalizes her marriage with Shaggy Beard. “I have been made to hem sheets for my marriage bed” (Cushman 152). It is shown that Catherine’s conflict is further developed when she is set to marry Shaggy Beard. The crisis is when Catherine pities the bear and she will do anything in order to save the bear. “I argued with the bear’s owner, trying to make him see the wrong in sacrificing a bear … he would sell me the bear …” (Cushman 185). It is shown that Catherine is determined to save the bear, and is willing to pay for it. The crisis leads to the climax. Catherine accepts Shaggy Beard’s gift in order to save the bear. “I know that by accepting his gifts, I have accepted the giver, and I am Shaggy Beards” (Cushman 186). It is proven that the crisis leads to the climax, due to Catherine’s sympathy for the bear, Catherine must accept Shaggy Beard gifts. Therefore, she must accept him as her husband. In the falling action, Catherine is preparing for Shaggy Beard. Catherine lets her birds free due to the fact that she does not want them to be caged the way she is caged. “I who must be caged could leave them no longer in cages. So I let them free…” (Cushman 199). In addition, Catherine fleas to her aunt Ethelfritha’s home. Catherine believed that she could escape her marriage if she moved to another country with her aunt. “Then I saw a picture in my mind of my aunt Ethelfritha winking and telling me to run to her next time” (Cushman 200). However, Catherine does not escape with her aunt. In the denouement, Catherine learns that she will not be marrying Shaggy Beard and that she will be marrying Stephen instead. “For these alone I am prepared to love him” (Cushman 205). Therefore, it is shown that Catherine accepts Stephen as her husband and she is prepared to love him.
V. Conflict:
The main conflict Catherine faces is that she tries to be like others and she does not accept her fate and who she is.

The conflict Catherine faces is Person versus self. “Little Bird, in the world to come, you will not be asked ‘why were you not George?’ or ‘why were you not Perkin?’ but ‘why were you not Catherine?’ ” (Cushman 17). It is depicted that Catherine tried to be everyone else but not herself. Hence, Catherine’s conflict is internal because she must change her conceptions. Catherine must accept who she is. Catherine’s conflict is resolved in the resolution. Catherine understands the Jewish woman’s advice. “And it came to my mind that I cannot run away. I am who I am wherever I am” (Cushman 202). Catherine understands she cannot be like Perkin or George, and she will not be asked if why she was not like Perkin or George. However, Catherine will be asked why she did not act like herself, and why she was not

Catherine.