“The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?

The phrase "The sight of the food maddened him" suggests that the young seagull was overcome with a powerful desire or craving for food. The word "maddened" implies that the young seagull's hunger was so intense that it consumed his thoughts and emotions, driving him to act impulsively and urgently in pursuit of sustenance. In the context of the story "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach, the young seagull's hunger serves as a catalyst for his eventual decision to fly. Throughout the story, the young seagull feels a deep dissatisfaction with the mundane existence of his flock, which is solely focused on practical matters such as finding food and survival. However, when he discovers the exhilarating joy of flight and begins to pursue his passion for flying, he faces rejection and condemnation from his flock, who view his behavior as rebellious and dangerous. It is only when the young seagull's hunger drives him to the brink of desperation that he finally summons the courage to take flight. Faced with the choice of conforming to the expectations of his flock or following his inner calling, the young seagull chooses the latter, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and transcendence. In this way, the young seagull's hunger serves as a metaphor for his deeper hunger for freedom, fulfillment, and self-expression. It is this hunger, combined with his innate curiosity and determination, that compels him to overcome his fears and limitations and to soar to new heights both literally and metaphorically. read less

The phrase "The sight of the food maddened him" suggests that the young seagull was overcome with a powerful desire or craving for food. The word "maddened" implies that the young seagull's hunger was so intense that it consumed his thoughts and emotions, driving him to act impulsively and urgently in pursuit of sustenance. read less