FLIGHT

1. Author Biography (Ngọc)

2. Brief introduction (Ngọc)
3. Plot summary (Thảo)
4. Setting (Thảo)
5. Point of view (Thảo)
6. Character analysis (Vân)
7. Theme(s) (Hằng)
8. Figurative language (Ngân)
9. Students’ response (like/dislike + new ending) (Phương)
10. Others (songs, films, poems, paintings, etc.) (Phương)

[Link] Biography
Background information: Doris Lessing
(1919-2013)
- Full name: Doris May Lessing
- Original name: Doris May Tayler
- Pen name: Jane Somers
- A British-Zimbabwean novelist
- One of the major fiction writers of the
secondhalf of the 20th century
- One of the vividly representative literary
figuresof our times
- “A feminist” writer
- Focal topics:
+ Communism
+ Racism
+ Feminism
Notable Works:
“Children of Violence”
• “The Cleft”
• “The Golden Notebook”
• “The Grass Is Singing”
• “The Memoirs of a Survivor”
• “The Sweetest Dream”
• “Time Bites”
Her childhood was described as some pleasure with a lot of bitter and
painful experiences, which was claimed by herself as an element creating
fiction author.
Life events:
- 1925 (5 years old): Immigrated to the British colony in Southern
Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
- 13 years old: Dropped out of school → the end of her formal education
- 15 years old: Left home and took a job as a nursemaid
- 1937: Moved to Salisbury → married her first husband (Frank Wisdom)
→ 2 children
- 1943: Left her family and remained in Salisbury
- 1945: Joined the Left Book Club → met and married her second
husband (GottfriedLessing)
- 1949: Went to London with her young son → published her first literary
work
- 2013: DĐie, 94 yrlds

She left home atfifteen and worked as a nursemaid. During that

time, she had chance to read politics andsociology and started
writing stories. Lessing’s career is filled with novels and collections ofshort
stories that are significantly involved 20th century social and
political upheavals. Her first novel, “The grass is singing”, was published
in 1949,marking the beginning of the British writer’s professional career.
In 1962, the novel “The goldennotebook” broke a new ground and helped
to raise her career to the top with the Prix MedicisEtranger Award and she
is the first British author receiving this prestigious award. Lessing
wasrewarded Nobel Prize for Literature in 2007 and listed in “50 greatest
British writers since 1945”. By the time of her death, she had issued more
than 50 novels andreceived 17 awards for her work and contribution

Literary works: novels, short stories, autobiographies, plays, essays,

poetry, etc.
❖Major works (for English major students)
●Novels:
- The Grass is Singing (1950)
- The Golden Notebook (1962)
- The Good Terrorist (1985)
●Series of novels:
- Children of Violence Series (1952-1969): a series of five
semi-autobiographical novelsd.
Great achievements:
- 2001: She was awarded The David Cohen Prize for a lifetime’s
achievement in British Literature.
- 2007: She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
- 2008: Her name was fifth on a list of the 50 greatest British writers
since 1945 ranked by The Times.
She ended her career with the book "Alfred and Emily".

BRIEF INTRO:
- Flight is one of her outstanding works of literature
- The literary work was published in 1957, in a collection of short
stories entitled The Habit of Loving.
- It is the 12th story of 17 stories
Love is one of the most intense feelings that typically persists after all
other emotions havefaded. As a result, it is really difficult to let go of
someone you care about. In Doris Lessing's short story "Flight," we
witness how much the grandfather adores his granddaughter and how he
is adamant about not giving her up to someone else. This
love creates difficulty for the grandfather; on the one hand, he
desires to keep his granddaughter, but on the other, he mustlearn and
accept the necessity of letting her go as a circle of life. In this paper, we
analyze thecharacters in the story and how the storytelling techniques
contribute to the beauty and meaningof the story

Flight is a short story about an old grandpa living with his family in South
Africa. Much to his chagrin, his granddaughter Alice plans on marrying the
postmaster's son Steve. In a childlike manner, Alice's Grandpa harshly
criticizes their upcoming marriage and refuses to let go of her last
granddaughter who he fears will leave him. Eventually, Alice's Grandpa
learns to accept Alice's marriage and realizes the importance of moving
on in life.

The title of "Flight" is significant to the story for many reasons. One
obvious reason is that at the end of the story the birds are freed to take
flight. Another less obvious reason is that the grandaughter too is let free
to take flight with her fiance. The title and the birds both stand to
symbolise the freedom of the grandaughter and the change in the
grandfather.
3. PLOT SUMMARY

4, 8, 3, 6, 5, 2, 9, 7, 10, 1

● On a late afternoon at the end of summer, the old man saw his
granddaughter waiting for her boyfriend while caring for his pigeons
in the garden. → Exposition
● He kept control of his bird and opposed his niece’s actions.
● He questioned her a lot and became angry with her disobedience.
● He suddenly felt affected and then became irritated again when he
saw the couple being intimate.
● He came into the house to tell his daughter.
● He argued with his daughter because he didn’t want his niece to get
married. → Conflict
● He cried when hearing his niece was getting married next month. →
Climax
● After that, he was given a bird by the couple, and his mind was
changed.
● He shut the given bird in a box and released his favourite one.
● He saw his granddaughter weep → Conclusion

"Flight" by Doris Lessing features several types of conflicts that drive the
narrative and explore its central themes. Here's a breakdown of the key
conflicts:

1. Man vs Himself/Herself:
● The Grandfather: This conflict is strongly present in the
grandfather. He struggles with his possessiveness towards Alice and
his inability to let go, representing the wider challenge of accepting
the inevitable changes that come with life.

● Alice: While not explicitly explored, Alice likely experiences internal

conflict balancing respect for her grandfather with her desire for
independence and a life of her own.

2. Man vs. Man:

● The Grandfather vs Alice: This is the central conflict of the story.
Their opposing desires and views on her marriage create constant
friction and arguments.
 ● Generational Conflict: The most prominent conflict is
between the traditional values of the grandfather and the
modern outlook of Alice. This clash highlights changing social
norms and the challenges faced by different generations
regarding marriage and family dynamics.

● The Grandfather vs Lucy: Lucy's frustration with her father's

behavior and her attempts to reason with him create another layer
of character-based conflict.

3. Man vs. Society:

● The story subtly suggests a conflict between the grandfather's
traditional views and the changing social landscape. His disapproval
of Steven's family might hint at his resistance to evolving social
norms regarding marriage and class.

→ These interwoven conflicts create a dynamic and engaging narrative,

prompting readers to consider the complexities of family relationships,
generational differences, and the struggle to balance tradition with
personal growth.

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4. SETTING
a) Time:
- The time setting of "Flight" by Doris Lessing is primarily focused on
a single evening during the late summer.
- While the story doesn't explicitly state the time, various details
throughout the narrative point towards this specific timeframe:
+ The story begins in the late afternoon: “Content, he
rested the bird lightly on his chest, and leaned against a tree,
gazing out beyond the dovecote into the landscape of a late
afternoon. “
+ It references the approaching evening: “A whirr and a
spatter of wings, and a cloud of birds rose into the evening
from the dovecote.”
 + That day marked the end of summer: “Her smile made
him see her, as he had every evening of this warm
end-of-summer month,”
+ No mention of other days: Throughout the story, there are
no references to events happening on other days, further
suggesting the story unfolds within a single evening.
→ Therefore, the time setting is mainly focused on a single
evening in late summer

- This time setting likely holds several layers of meaning:

1. Transition and Endings: Both the ”late afternoon” and the “late
summer” symbolize transitions and endings. The story revolves
around the grandfather's release of the pigeon, which can be seen
as a metaphor for letting go of something cherished. The time
setting reinforces this theme of impermanence and the need to
accept change.

2. Reflection and Contemplation: The quietness and introspective

nature of late afternoon provide a space for reflection. This is
evident in the grandfather's contemplation about his life choices and
the changing relationships around him.

3. Heightened Emotional Intensity: The ending of a day and a

season can often create a sense of poignancy (sadness) and
heightened emotional intensity. This can be seen in the tense
interactions between the grandfather and the granddaughter, adding
depth to their emotional exchange.

4. Shifting Dynamics: The approaching evening can also represent a

shift in dynamics between the characters. The grandfather's initial
hostility towards the boy gradually melts away, culminating in the
release of the pigeon at the end, symbolizing a transformation in
their relationship.

5. Open-Ended Interpretation: The lack of specific details allows

readers to connect the time setting to their own experiences. This
creates a sense of universality and allows each reader to interpret
 the story's themes based on their own understanding of endings,
transitions, and reflection.

→ Therefore, the time setting in "Flight" contributes significantly to the

story's thematic exploration of transition, contemplation, and emotional
intensity, while maintaining a universal appeal that resonates with readers
across diverse backgrounds and time periods.

b) Place:
The setting of "Flight" by Doris Lessing is ambiguous and could be
interpreted as universal. While the story doesn't explicitly mention specific
locations, subtle clues suggest a warm climate:

1. Warmer climate
+ Wooden veranda: This detail points towards a house with
an outdoor living space, potentially common in warmer
regions.
“He stumped into the little whitewashed house, hearing the
wooden veranda creak angrily under his feet.”

+ Frangipani tree: These trees are native to tropical and

subtropical regions.
“His eyes travelled homewards along this road until
he saw his granddaughter swinging on the gate underneath
a frangipani tree.”

However, the story doesn't offer enough details to pinpoint a specific

country or continent. The author deliberately avoids specific geographic
markers, allowing the story to resonate with a wider audience across
different cultural contexts. This ambiguity allows readers to visualize the
setting based on their own experiences and understanding.

2. Lack of specific location:

+ The story avoids any specific geographical markers like city
names, countries, or landmarks.
+ The story can connect with a wider audience across different
cultural contexts.
+ Readers can visualize the setting based on their own
experiences and understanding.
→ Therefore, while the climate leans towards a warmer region, the
specific location of "Flight" remains open to interpretation and universality
seems to be the author's intended purpose.

5. POINT OF VIEW

- "Flight" by Doris Lessing is primarily narrated from a third-person

limited point of view (also called limited omniscient). This means:
+ The story is told by an external narrator, not a character
within the story.
+ The narrator has access to the thoughts and feelings of
one character, primarily the grandfather.
+ The reader experiences the story largely through the
grandfather's perspective, understanding his thoughts,
emotions, and motivations.
+ While the narrator provides some insights into other
characters, such as Alice and Lucy, their thoughts and feelings
are not directly revealed, and we only understand them
through their actions and dialogue, filtered through the
grandfather's perception.

- This specific point of view choice serves several purposes:

+ Focuses on the grandfather's internal conflict: By

granting access to the grandfather's inner world, the reader
gains a deeper understanding of his struggles with accepting
change, his possessiveness towards Alice, and his own
mortality.
+ Creates an air of mystery: Limiting the perspective keeps
the thoughts and motivations of other characters, particularly
Alice, slightly veiled, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to
the narrative.
+ Encourages reader participation: By not explicitly stating
everything, the limited perspective encourages the reader to
actively interpret the story, consider the characters'
motivations beyond the surface, and draw their own
conclusions.
 - While primarily focused on the grandfather's perspective, the limited
point of view allows for occasional shifts in focus to briefly highlight
other characters' emotions or reactions. This can be seen in specific
instances where the narrator describes Alice's smile or Lucy's
concerned glances, providing limited glimpses into their inner states
without fully revealing their thoughts.

→ Overall, the use of a third-person limited point of view allows for a

deep dive into the grandfather's perspective, while still leaving room for
interpretation and engagement from the reader.

6. Character analysis
- The old man
- Afraid of loneliness and change
- His hobby is birding which keeps him busy and does not feel lonely
- “a dovecote”... ‘full of strutting, preening birds.”
- Considers the birds his only pleasure in life, and regards his
granddaughter as one of his birds and asks if he can keep her a bit
longer.
- Does not ready to see the girl change just a few months later, like
her older sisters
- “He thought of the other threegirls, transformedinside a few
months from charming petulant spoiled children into
serious young matrons.”
-
Overprotective, Selfish
- Intentionally loses his hand to let the bird fly, but then quickly
catches it back -> the bird is the metaphor for his granddaughter
-> his desire to keep her close
- Tries to impose strict control over the girl:
- “Think you're old enough to go courting, hey?' 'Think you want to
leave home, hey? Think you can go running around the fields at
night?”
- Does not consider the girl’s happiness, and does not accept his
selfishness by blaming it to his daughter:
 - Why do you make your girls marry? It's you who do it. What do
you do it for? Why?
-
Childish and sensitive
- Acts like a child who has lost his favorite toy, who wants to be met
his demands
- “She’s the last,” he mourned. “Can't we keep her a bit longer?”
- “He stumped his feet alternately, thump, thump, on the
hollow wooden floor”
- Cries because he knows it cannot be the way that he wants:
- “His eyes stung”, “Wet spread down over his chin and he took
out a handkerchief and mopped his whole face
- Needs care and affection:
- “his wet eyes and his misery”
- For me?' said the old man, letting the drops shakeoff his chin.
'For me?'
-
Hot-tempered, spiteful
- Uses many rude words to call Alice
- “Rubbish,” he shouted. “Rubbish. Impudent little bit of rubbish!”
- Seems to hurt the people he loves with words
-
Thoughtful
- The conversation with his daughter makes him realize that it’s time
to let his granddaughter go, he cannot be selfish anymore, and he
has to think of the girl’s happiness.
- He cries when he is alone, and he cries harder when he receives the
bird from the teens -> tears of acceptance
- Teaching (your) grandmother to suck eggs -> his joke implies that
he accepts and gives up his selfish desire. Shuts the new bird in a
box and takes out his favourite 'Now you can go, he said aloud
-

- He always wants to keep her, have control over her, and never let
her leave, it shows that he is very possessive, and selfish- He
said: `Think you're old enough to go courting, hey?' or 'Think you
want to leave home, hey? Think you can go running around the
fields at night?'
 - He appears to want to hurt the people he loves. He uses many rude
words to call Alice - 'rubbish'; 'impudent'. We can say that he is
spiteful.- 'Rubbish,' he shouted. 'Rubbish. Impudent little bit of
rubbish!'
- All of these, because he fears that he will have to live without his
granddaughter. He has many grandchildren but they all left him and
never come back. He thought of the other three girls, transformed
inside a few months from charming petulant spoiled children into
serious young matrons. Now, the old man just has one
granddaughter and she will get married to Steven, and he will take
her away, so he wants to prevent them. It may also be a case that
the grandfather does not like change. With old age comes
stubbornness and a lack of will to change one’s habits.
- He loves his granddaughter a lot but he doesn’t know how to
show his feeling. He doesn't show his feelings by words, he just
uses actions – but in a very unfriendly way. He wants everybody to
take care of him and understand his private thoughts, but he can’t
speak out. The old man has to decide whether to keep his
granddaughter or let her go
- He stumped his feet alternately, thump, thump, on the hollow
wooden floor and shouted: 'She'll marry him. I'm telling you, she'll
be marrying him next!' -> like a child who lost his favorite toy,
childish
- In the end, he gives up his selfish desire. Then he shut it in a box
and took out his favourite 'Now you can go, he said aloud The
granddaughter -> thoughtful

Granddaughter (Alice)
- Young,Childlike,Immature
- Joyful and carefree
- Appears as a delightful and happy girl, waiting for his boyfriend:
- swinging on the gate underneath a frangipani tree.
- who was now looped over the gate, her head loose on
her arms, singing
-
- Stubborn and Disobedient
- From the gate the girl shouted: 'Go and tell! Go on, what are you
waiting for?' She finds her grandpa old-fashioned. She is rude
towards him, ignoring his reprimands and the threats that he will
tell her mother she is waiting for her boyfriend.
- + Loving and Considerate: a bird
- try to comfort him: ' They hung about him, affectionate,
concerned, tryingto charm away his wet eyes and his
misery.
- through the bird, she wants to state/ conveys that her love for
grandpa will never be changed even she’s not by his side. “one on
each side, enclosing him, petting him, saying
wordlessly that nothing wouldbe changed, nothing
could change, and that they wouldbe with him always.
The bird was proof of it,
-
-
- Calm
- Patient
- Sympathetic
- + Caring
-
- She married at 7 “and never regretted it “. She respects her
children’s choices: “The other three have done fine, They've three
fine husbands. Why not Alice?” As a result, Lucy gives Alice
permission to marry, for detail: agree to Alice marry Steven tries to
reassure the old man about Alice
-
- Thoughtful : Give the old man a present pigeon “ steven brought it
for you”
- Kind: in spite of the old man annoying attitude, he still be kind with
him “ We're glad you like it”
- “They watched him as he held it on his wrist, stroking its soft,
sun-warmed back, watching the wings lift and balance.” “The bird
 was proof of it, they said, from their lying happy eyes, as they
thrust it on him. 'There, Grandad, it's yours. It's for you.' ”
- “They hung about him, affectionate, concerned, trying to charm
away his wet eyes and his misery. They took his arms and directed
him to the shelf of birds, one on each side, enclosing him, petting
him, saying wordlessly that nothing would be changed, nothing
could change, and that they would be with him always.”
- He is also a man of tender warmth and deep feelings And he truly
loves Alice.
- He is expected to be a fine husband.

7. Themes
● The main theme in this story is freedom. To illustrate this theme the
author uses mood, we can see that in the end, the freedom of the
birds makes Alice cry. Also, in the text, the flight of the pigeons
symbolizes freedom. In this short story, the title "Flight" signifies
more than one thing, the flight of the pigeons and the 'flight' of the
granddaughter, her escape to adulthood, and a life of her own, she
becomes now free to fly into the world like the pigeons.
- The story shows how important it is for Alice to be allowed the
freedom to live her life as she wishes. This theme stems from the
contrast by describing the action of the old man at the beginning
and the action at the end of the story. At the beginning of the story,
the old man brings out his favorite pigeon and plays with it. He holds
out his wrist for the bird to take flight, then he catches it again at
the moment the bird is about to take flight. The author uses the old
man’s favorite bird to symbolize Alice. The old man wants to keep
the pigeon as well as Alice by his side, he doesn’t want Alice to have
other relationships, exactly with Steven. It’s the loss of freedom. At
 the end of the story, the old man finally learns to accept the fact that
he has to let go of his granddaughter as a law of life. That the pigeon
flies means that the birds can fly anywhere they want and Alice can
be free to marry anyone she loves without any objection. The flight
of the pigeon and the flight of Alice are flights to freedom.
● Rule of life: Growing up and leaving home
- Most people have to deal with growing up and leaving their homes.
In the short story, Alice cannot continue to live with her
grandfather, she must mature and marry in order to establish her
own family because this is the rule of life. Furthermore, young
people have to leave their families in order to live their own lives.
- The story revolves around Alice and her reactions to her decision to
leave home; her mother, Lucy, sees it as entirely normal and
optimistic, stating that she 'never regretted' her marriage and that
her other daughters had done well.
- Alice is looking forward to leaving her home. She is carefree,
swinging on gates and singing while waiting for her boyfriend. She
has everything in life to look forward to and is unable to understand
the feelings of her grandfather. However, at the end of the story, she
perhaps starts to comprehend the heartbreak that leaving home can
cause, and she can now finally know the feelings of her granddad.
- The old man is very negative about Alice leaving home. He sees it as
the end of his life; he will be left 'uncherished and alone' with his
daughter. We know he was upset when his own daughter went to
marry, and every time one of the girls goes, he finds them 'crying
and miserable'.
● Family love
 The short story “Flight” shows how much the granddad loves his
granddaughter. At first, the old man disagrees with the fact that his
granddaughter is going to get married early, and he prevents his
granddaughter from having a relationship with Steven by telling
Lucy. His love for Alice is so great that he just wants to keep Alice by
his side as the way he keeps the pigeon in the story. The old man
cries after knowing that her granddaughter is going to marry next
month. His tears show his love for his granddaughter. This is family
love. This theme is also proved by the love of Alice to the old man. A
young pigeon that Steven gives to the old man represents the
attention of Alice and Steven to him. A pigeon is a kind of his favorite
bird, so giving a young pigeon as a present to the old man proves
that Alice and Steven notice and pay attention to him and they know
what the old man likes and loves. The young couple still cares for
him and they don’t leave him alone because they give him the right
present. It also shows the love of Alice and Steven, especially Alice to
the old man-the family love.
● Nature
- There are a lot of references to nature. The most obvious is the
pigeons. They appear in the first sentence, as the old man looks
after his dovecote. There are many other references - from their
claws to how they fly. And the story comes to an end with them
settling back in the garden.
- There are many references to the garden, too - from the 'frangipani
tree' to the color of the soil. These can be detailed, like 'the brittle
shadows of the frangipani tree' or a stream of rich green grass'.
- Flight includes references to the wider world as well, such as
shadows, sunlight, and sky. Nature is clearly important to both the
 writer and the characters: they live in the countryside and it is
important to their daily lives.
● Contrasts and comparisons
- The story contains a number of contrasts, such as the views of the
different generations on leaving home.
- We also see a contrast between how Lucy and the old man behave:
he is much more like a child. In some ways, even Alice behaves in a
more mature manner: she does not 'thump' her feet or shout like
him.
- There are also a lot of comparisons between nature and the
characters. The most obvious relates to the pigeons. They act as
symbols, so the pigeon at the start is just like Alice: young, the
grandfather's favorite, and 'pretty', but straining to fly away.
- The old man can control the bird by locking it away, but he cannot
control Alice. When he releases the pigeon, it is like releasing Alice.
Both must move away to make their own way in the world.
- Alice's legs are like the stems on the tree, while the old man's fingers
are 'curling like claws into his palm'. In other words, his fingers are
like his pigeons' claws. Meanwhile, Alice and Steven are 'like puppies
on the grass'.
- These constant references to nature and comparisons can give the
impression that the characters are simply part of nature. They also
make us believe it is natural for Alice to want to leave home, just as it
is natural for her grandfather to wish her to stay.
8. Figurative language
a. Meaning of the title
The metaphor image of "flight" stands for the human impulse, freedom,
escape, and liberation:
● The flight of Alice: from childhood to adulthood
● The flight of the old man: from reality to his refusing to accept that
his granddaughter is growing up

b. Written in the thỉrd person

Although Flight is written in the third person, the elderly man's viewpoint
is used to tell the most of the [Link] purposefully writes it this way so
that readers can understand the elderly man's constantly changing
attitude from the start of the story to its very conclusion. It reveals to us
how his attitude has evolved from being happy at the start of the story
about his favorite to being angry and bitter upon seeing his
granddaughter waiting for her future marriage. It also enables us to
understand how he feels hurt and how his self-image is damaged when
everyone is against him.

c. Short direct sentences

They are used to emphasize points and indicate the old man’s mood:
“Waiting for Steven, hey?”
“Think you are old enough to go courting, hey?”
The old man thinks Alice is too young to start dating, and it seems from
his tone of voice that he opposes the relationship between the two of
them. He challenges her to end that relationship in his speech as a
grandfather.

d. Body language - actions and gestures

In this story, attitudes are frequently reflected in actions.
`Hey!'he shouted; saw her jump, look back, and abandon the gate.
while her grandfather shouts "Hey!" Alice jumps. She appears frightened,
but soon after, as her "eyes veiled themselves," Her eyes veiled
themselves, and she said in a pert neutral voice:'Hullo, Grandad.'she
starts acting evasively. She shakes her head and speaks in a neutral tone,
perhaps ignoring his aggressive attitude. The old man's hands curl into his
palm like claws when he thinks of Steven. Both Alice and Steven attempt
to comfort the elderly man when Steven presents him with a new pigeon:

They took his arms and directed him to the shelf of birds, one on
each side, enclosing him, petting him, saying wordlessly that
nothing would be changed, nothing could change, and that they
would be with him always. The bird was proof of it, they said,
from their lying happy eyes, as they thrust it on him. 'There,
Grandad, it's yours. It's for you

This passage also makes reference to eyes; the old man is told by their
"lying happy eyes" that nothing will change, even though they both know
this to be untrue. Alice is "wide-eyed" and has tears streaming down her
face at the conclusion of the story. The elderly man had been crying
earlier at the prospect of losing her. At the end of the story, what do her
tears mean? She was wide eyed, and pale in the cold shadow,and he saw
the tears run shivering off her face. It's possible that she is aware that
she will eventually be married and that she is now sad about growing up.

e. Diction

The diction plays a crucial role in conveying the story's themes and
atmosphere. Lessing's choice of words reflects the African setting and the
psychological state of the protagonist

● A first paragraph describing the birds in a positive diction begins the

story: rainbows, young, bright
● Additionally, the garden's tranquility and beauty are emphasized by
“rich, green, blossoms”

The opening scene portrays a peaceful and harmonious setting, with the old man
enjoying the tranquility of his home and the company of his family.

→ An optimistic introduction conveys the old man's initial state at the beginning of
the story: happy and content

● Old fashioned phrase: “courting”

→ Lessing illustrated the generational divide between the elderly man and his
daughter by using this word.

f. Confrontational language

Doris Lessing described in an aggressive manner by using exclamatory phrases to

convey the old man's disappointment and anger.
“Rubbish. Impudent little bit of rubbish!”; “Hey”

g. Adverbs

Adverbs can indeed be used to emphasize the emotions of characters in literature,

adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often providing additional context
or intensity to the action or feeling being described. In Lessing's story, adverbs was
employed to convey the intensity or depth of emotions experienced by the characters

'You've said they can marry?' he said incredulously.

“'Yes, Dad, why not?' she said coldly, and took up her sewing.

h. Metaphor
● In "Flight" by Doris Lessing, the metaphorical description of sunlight breaking
on the doves' grey breasts into small rainbows is a vivid image that captures
the beauty and serenity of the scene. By likening the reflection of light on the
doves' chests to rainbows, the author creates a poetic and evocative image
that conveys a sense of wonder and awe. This metaphor not only enhances
the sensory experience of the reader but also adds depth to the old man's
observations, highlighting his appreciation for the natural world and the
fleeting moments of beauty in his surroundings.

The sunlight broke on their grey breasts into small rainbows.

● The flight of the birds represents a sense of freedom and liberation from
earthly constraints. Similarly, the granddaughter's departure from the family
symbolizes her journey towards independence and self-discovery.
● Moreover, in the context, the crooning of the birds can be compared to the
happiness experienced by Alice

“The light happy sound mingled with the crooning of the birds, and his anger mounted”

The birds' crooning creates a soothing backdrop to the scene in "Flight," while Alice's
happiness is described as a light, happy sound that adds to the overall atmosphere
of joy and delight.

The crooning of the birds in "Flight" reflects the beauty of the natural world, with the
birds' song blending harmoniously with the surroundings. Similarly, Alice's happiness
in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" is associated with the wonder and
enchantment of the fantastical world she encounters, where even the simplest joys
bring her immense pleasure.

● The imagery of "his fingers curling like claws into his palm" can be compared
to the anger experienced by the character upon seeing Alice and Steven
This description conveys a sense of inner turmoil and agitation, as the character's
anger builds up and manifests in his body language.

The imagery of claws conveys a sense of aggression and hostility. Just as claws are
used by animals as weapons or tools for defense, the curled fingers symbolize the
character's readiness to lash out or confront the source of his anger

This physical gesture underscores the depth of his emotions and the extent to which
he is affected by the situation.

i. Language

The use of repetition in Doris Lessing's "Flight" serves multiple purposes, including
reinforcing details of the scene and identifying characters, while references to
people's bodies and comparisons to natural elements contribute to the thematic
depth and characterization in the story.

Reinforcing Details and Identifying Characters: By repeating certain details such as

sunlight, the frangipani tree, the veranda, and Lucy's sewing, Lessing reinforces the
setting and atmosphere of the story, creating a vivid sense of place for the reader.
Additionally, the repetition of phrases like "the postmaster's son" and "his daughter"
helps to identify and differentiate characters in the narrative, establishing their roles
and relationships within the community.

Depiction of People's Bodies: The repeated references to people's bodies, such as

eyes, legs, and hair, serve to ground the characters in physical reality and provide
sensory details that bring them to life for the reader. These descriptions may reflect
the way the old man perceives the world around him, but they also serve to
characterize the individuals themselves, offering insights into their appearance,
mannerisms, and personalities.

Comparison to Natural Elements: Comparisons to natural elements like frangipani

stems or claws create vivid imagery and deepen the thematic resonance of the story.
These comparisons highlight the connection between humans and the natural world,
suggesting that people are not separate from their environment but rather intricately
intertwined with it.

j. Symbolism

Symbolism plays a significant role in "Flight" by Doris Lessing, enriching the narrative
and deepening its thematic resonance

1. Pigeon: represent for Alice

Desire to Keep Close: By holding out his wrist for the bird to take flight and then
catching it again, despite knowing it's a homing pigeon, the old man demonstrates
his desire to maintain control and keep the bird close to him. This action suggests a
possessive attitude towards the bird, similar to how he feels about his family
members.

Lack of Belief in Return: The fact that the old man doesn't believe the bird will return
once he lets it go indicates a sense of resignation or pessimism. This attitude
mirrors his skepticism about Alice's relationship with Steven, as he may not believe it
will endure or bring her happiness in the long run.

“He stumped his feet alternately, thump, thump,thump, on the hollow wooden floor and
shouted:” She’ll marry him. I’m telling you, she’ll be marrying him next!”

Parallel to Alice's Love Affair: Just as the old man struggles to let go of the bird and
doubts its return, he also struggles to accept Alice's growing independence and her
romantic relationship with Steven. Like the bird, Alice represents a part of his life that
he's reluctant to release control over, and he may fear losing her to the outside world

“She’s the last,” he mourned. “Can’t we keep her a bit longer?”

2. The gate: Transition between home and the outside world, childhood and
maturity

The gate in "Flight" by Doris Lessing serves as a powerful symbol of transition and
the boundary between different states of being:

Transition between Home and the Outside World: The gate represents the boundary
between the familiar comforts of home and the unknown dangers of the outside
world. It means leaving through the gate signifies the departure from the safety and
security of family into the uncertainty of the world. Similarly, returning through the
gate marks the reentry into the familiar yet changed environment of home.

Transition between Childhood and Maturity: The gate also symbolizes the passage
from childhood to adulthood. As Alice crosses the threshold of the gate, she’ll
embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, leaving behind the innocence and
dependency of childhood and venturing into the complexities and responsibilities of
adulthood. The gate thus represents a main moment of transition in life.

3. Alice’s tear: represent for both happiness and sadness in different moments
of the story’

Happiness: When Alice's tears fall after her grandfather accepts her love for Steven,
it symbolizes her overwhelming happiness and relief. The tear serves as a physical
manifestation of her emotional release and the joy she feels at being accepted and
understood by her grandfather. It signifies a moment of reconciliation and
connection between them, bringing a sense of peace and fulfillment to Alice.

Sadness: Conversely, when Alice sheds tears as she prepares to leave her family and
embark on her own journey, her tears symbolizes sadness and heartache. It
represents the pain of separation and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Alice's tear
embodies her conflicted emotions as she grapples with the bittersweet nature of
leaving behind her family while also embracing the promise of new beginnings

Overall, Alice's tear serves as a poignant symbol of the complex and nuanced
emotions experienced by the character throughout the story, reflecting both the highs
and lows of her journey towards independence and self-discovery.

“She was wideeyed, and pale in the cold shadow, and he saw the tears run shivering
off her face”

4. The old man: symbolizes the older generation's struggle with loneliness and
the inevitability of their children and grandchildren leaving

Loneliness: The old man's solitude and isolation, particularly after the death of his
wife, reflect the loneliness experienced by many elderly individuals. His longing for
companionship and connection is palpable throughout the story, as he grapples with
the absence of his family members and the solitude of his surroundings.

Facing Reality of Departure: The old man's interactions with his family members,
especially Alice, underscore his struggle to come to terms with their departure. He is
torn between his desire to hold onto them and the reality of their need for
independence and autonomy. His reluctance to let go reflects the broader experience
of older generations facing the departure of their children and grandchildren as they
grow up and pursue their own paths in life.

Overall, the old man in "Flight" serves as a poignant symbol of the challenges faced
by the older generation as they confront the loneliness and loss that often
accompany the gradual departure of their loved ones. His story highlights the
complexities of intergenerational relationships and the enduring bonds that connect
families across generations

9. Student’s response:
a. Like/ dislike:
● Like:
 - After reading “Flight”, what I like about this story is it reflecting on the real
world. Why did I say so? The story has raised some issues of society that are
happening in many families not only in the past but also in the modern-day.
+ Firstly, when we read the story, we can see the way that family members
communicate with each other can lead to unexpected misunderstandings and
conflicts if we communicate poorly. I think that as a family, it is very
important that we convey our feelings, thoughts, and desires to each other. So
that we can understand each other more easily and we can prevent conflicts in
a family. For example, if the old man in the story told his daughter that he
wished she and Alice could spend more time or stay with him, things would
have been easier.
+ Another thing is nowadays, people spend less time with their families. I think
the best way to show our love to other members of the family, especially our
grandparents is to spend time with them, show them that you care about
them, and make them feel like they are loved and appreciated. So I think that
the story has done a great job of showing us the issues that happen in a family
and helping us to realize what we should do.
● Dislike:
- One aspect of "Flight" that I found disappointing was the sudden ending of it.
Well, I honestly don’t hate or don’t like the ending, it just… I feel kind of
disappointed. While the ending of "Flight" is very powerful, I feel that there
are still some unanswered questions and some unresolved conflicts. The first
thing that appeared in my mind after reading the ending was: “What do her
tears mean at the end of the story?” After building tension throughout the
story and leading up to what seemed like a climactic moment, the ending felt
kind of a little bit rushed and unsatisfying. I think it would be better to see
more development of Alice's relationship with her grandfather and a clearer
ending to the conflicts that drove the story forward.

Because I feel kinda unsatisflied with the ending, I would like to give a new version to
it.

b. New ending:
As Alice reaches the edge of the hill, she pauses, the weight of her decision heavy on
her shoulders. For a moment, she hesitates, her gaze lingering on the familiar
contours of the countryside stretching out before her. Memories of childhood
summers and lazy afternoons flood her mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of the
life she was leaving behind. As she looks back at the house one last time, she sees her
grandfather standing there, smiling and looking at her proudly. He approaches her,
his eyes full of caring, and softly cradled her face in his hands. "I'm sorry, Alice, for
everything I’ve done," he says, his voice choked with emotion. "I realize now that I've
held you back, but your happiness means everything to me. Please, go and live your
life to the fullest. I love you, always." Tears well up in Alice's eyes as she embraces her
grandfather, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. "I love you too," she whispers,
feeling a sense of peace settle over her. As the sun dips below the horizon, painting
the sky in shades of orange and gold, Alice feels a sense of peace settle over her. For in
that moment, she knows that she is finally free.

10. Others:

Now, we will move to the last part. Because I’m not good at singing or painting, so
me and my friends have used all of our artistic potential to write this short poem:

In fields where whispers gently sigh,

A young girl dreams of soaring high.

Bound by love, yet yearning still,

To follow love, against her will.

One white feather, light and free,

Whispers hope of what could be.

Beyond the bars, a world awaits,

Where dreams take flight, and freedom gates.

In today’s lesson, we have gone through so many things. We have learned about Doris
Lessing’ biography, brief introduction of “Flight”, the short story’s summary, the
character analysis, the story’s themes and setting, the story’s point of view, figurative
language that used by the author, students’ response about the story and the last one
is a poem inspired by the story. "Flight" by Doris Lessing invites readers into a
emotional exploration of the human spirit's quest for freedom and self-discovery.
This story gives us the inspiration to face and embrace our own journeys with
confidence and bravery, knowing that true freedom lies within the depths of our
hearts. And that is the end of our presentation, thank you for your participation.

● garden:
● dovecote: unhappy family
● fence: protection
● open the gate: not protected by the gate >< be independent

- the old man: main character but nameless → universal character

(unnamed character)
+ so much tradition = conservative (bảo thủ) not narrow-minded
(hẹp hòi)
+ a little bit possessive (tính chiếm hữu) not selfish → because
he love his kids so much
- Alice: common name
+ support the family >< disobedient → change to better herself
- Lucy:
- Steven:
**Themes:
1. Aging
2. Rites of passage: important races in our life
+ Growing up and leaving home
3. Family love >< Family conflict
4. Generation gap:
+ Younger
+ Older
+ Middle-aged
5. Nature: describe beautiful landscapes
6. Cycle of life

**Figurative language
1. Title: birds fly fast, cannot hold back → Law of life (title of Jack
London’s short story) → freedom, born to be free → passing by the
time
2. ….