Published: 2021-12-21

The Pigeon by Patrick Süskind: An Interpretation Attempt

Estera Głuszko-Boczoń Logo ORCID

Abstract

This study addresses “The Pigeon”, a novella by Patrick Süskind. Its protagonist is Jonathan Noel, an aged bank porter. This man subjected his whole life to the regime of work, discipline and routine, while limiting his social relations to the minimum. However, one day his predictable existence is disrupted by a pigeon appearing at the threshold of his room. It triggers a series of events followed by fatal outcomes. The protagonist’s response to the pigeon surprises and opens space for psychological considerations of Jonathan’s nature. The bird disorganizes his life forcing him to undertake new, risky actions that are far from his habits. In my article I undertake an attempt to analyze the reasons underlying the protagonist’s phobias and his internal conflict that lead him to total alienation and estrangement. The phenomenon of solitude as well an attempt to understand the pigeon metaphor and its function in the novella make a significant aspect of my considerations.

Citation rules

Głuszko-Boczoń, E. (2021). The Pigeon by Patrick Süskind: An Interpretation Attempt. Zoophilologica. Polish Journal of Animal Studies, (2 (8), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2021.08.06

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No. 2 (8) (2021)
Published: 2022-01-12


ISSN: 2719-2687
eISSN: 2451-3849
Ikona DOI 10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA

Publisher
Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego | University of Silesia Press

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