The Birds

Structure and point of view are the key narrative elements that give “The Birds” its Gothic horror characteristics, which include a sense of uncertainty and isolation as well as an all-encompassing fear of the unknown. The narrative is plot-driven and follows events in chronological order—except for brief moments when the protagonist’s point of view touches on memories triggered by events in the plot or by the manner in which other characters react to those events. Because the narrative point of view is confined to Nat’s perspective as he navigates the plot in real time, readers are isolated from knowing what is happening elsewhere, what other characters are experiencing, or why the birds attack the way that they do. Readers know only what Nat knows, and they discover that his knowledge is based on observation, intuition, and memory.

As Nat’s singular point of view on the birds reveals the Gothic fear of nature behaving in unnatural ways, even the story’s formal elements underpin a theme of The Uncanny Natural World. The narrator’s short exposition about Nat’s life and personality reveals that Nat knows a good deal about birds and their habits because he enjoys birdwatching; he has observed the birds in all seasons, knows their names and how they hunt for food, so he can tell when their behavior is not normal.