Use Of Hummingbirds In Brian Doyle's 'Joyas Voladoras'

Brian Doyle is the author of The Wet Engine, which is a novel that includes the short story, “Joyas Valadoras.” His works were inspired by his child, who is missing a chamber of his heart. This story uses metaphors about whales and hummingbirds to show how all people have one similarity despite their many external differences. In “Joyas Voladoras,” Brian Doyle suggests that experiencing pain and hardship is an inevitable part of life.

Doyle uses the hummingbird to show that the happiest of people can be fragile internally. Hummingbirds seem to find a great deal of joy in life, but the rapid pace of their lives causes them to easily approach death. Because of this, the hummingbird does not live long. Doyle states that “The price of their ambition is a life closer to death; they suffer more heart attacks and aneurysms and ruptures than any other living creature” (Doyle). Hummingbirds find delight through flying and searching for food; however, the continual movement can put a dangerous amount of strain on their hearts. Although their

Scientists have learned very little about the blue whale, but one well-known fact is that they have a big and powerful body with a voice that can send a message great distances. Doyle says that “their penetrating moaning cries, their piercing moaning tongue, can be heard underwater for miles and miles” (Doyle). The blue whale is the strongest and largest creature in existence; however, it still cries from sorrow and is wounded on the inside. The whale’s situation represents the emotions of many people. They put on the image of a tough person who can handle anything, but feel the deepest pain internally. Their exterior covers the fact that these people are desperate for love and happiness that they cannot find. The metaphor involving the whale shows that no matter how tough people appear, they still experience