Mr. Newman In The Old Bird, A Love Story

In the story, The Old Bird, A Love Story, the narrator introduces the main character Mr. Newman; a once known wealthy man who now struggles to find work. The narrator’s sympathetic tone expresses the idea of how Mr. Newman feels towards giving up his white collar life, and also how people see him as a someone to feel sorry for. By the narrator’s use of words describing the scenes you can see how Newman feels towards every character. Not only that, but he also gives the inside thoughts of Mr. Newman which helps the reader sees Newman’s reassessment of himself.
In the first scenes of the story Mr. Newman is intimidated by the information worker due to her demeanor and attitude to others. In the quote the narrator writes, " The smile she gave

him was alive and it hinted that things were already on personal basis between him and her and the company," this quote shows the transition of Mr. Newman's thoughts after merely telling a joke to the young lady. His attitude is than adjusted to the atmosphere, and he feels more comfortable than before. Soon afterwards Mr. Newman meets Mr Shanahan who is handling the job applications to see if they are able to work for the company. When Mr. Shanahan sees Mr. Newman he takes pity on him. Shanahan sees only an elderly man looking for work and offers Mr. Newman a job in which he knows isn't right for a man of his age, but offers it to him anyway. Mr. Newman doesn't want to let him down, so he accepts the job realizing later that it was a bad decision.
As Mr.

Newman begins his work he tries not to show his supervisor Mr. Hurley of his struggles. Mr. Newman wants to keeps the job, but knowing of his past as a businessman wealthy and so proud of his accomplishments makes him rethink his thoughts. The narrator writes, "Mr. Newman perspired ... Lost his breath, caught it, and tried to break a piece of twine..", the quote enhances the reader’s thoughts of feeling bad for Mr. Newman. Despite the hardship Mr. Newman is in he keeps his candid attitude that he brought when the information worker had smiled. Although the narrator also demonstrates that other characters are taking a toll on Newman since he can't keep up with the technology used in the company. This makes Mr. Newman realize that to others he is just useless, and he cannot be portrayed as the man he once was in his early

life.
Towards the end of the story of narrator brings out the most sentimental scenes when we goes home to his wife.

The narrator explains,"He bit his lips in irritation and snapped,"Why didn't you let me get the water?””, the quote explains that Mr. Newman is still upset from a day at work. When he sees his wife doing the things he was supposed to do it takes him back to work where others complained and did things for him. In another quote the narrator tells," She was the audience- that was something like it-and he was always on stage, the actor that was never taken quite seriously by his audience..", the narrator expresses Newman as the actor since he is elderly, and is thought of less. As an actor of any character you aren't taken seriously unless your character presents or illustrates that idea about you. But the wife of Mr. Newman is one member of an audience that listens to the actor and understands him. This brings out the most sympathetic part to the story because it makes the reader feel the love his wife has for him, and also shows the side of Mr. Newman where he breaks down and hides his struggles to his

wife.
In conclusion the narrator does appears to sympathize with Mr. Newman by the details he uses to describe how he is feeling or especially how the situation is presented. In the first few scenes of the story with the information worker and Mr. Shanahan, Mr. Newman’s attitude is joyous and has determination towards the company, but as the story proceeds on to the other characters, Mr. Hurley and the co-workers, he begins to see himself as a useless man who isn’t wanted. This is clear throughout the story until towards the end when the writer involves his wife. She is one person where Mr. Newman isn’t one to be soft to. She wants to know everything about him, and understand how he’s feeling. The narrator describes him as an actor because Mr. Newman wants to show every person the side they want to see. Although to his wife, he is open. Mr. Newman’s reassessment is that his life isn’t like as it once was, but he cannot down himself down. The only thing he can do is readjust to the new ways he is starting to learn.