I had to write an essay analyzing a short story. I wrote about The Birds:

Daphne du Maurier’s short story The Birds is a story of an old war veteran, his family, and how they battle fierce birds. It starts out on the third of December on the Cornish coast of England. The weather has changed overnight from a mild autumn to a cold, harsh winter. Nat Hocken, who works at a farm to support his family, notices a lot of birds that appear more restless than usual. Nobody else believes Nat’s theories about what the birds might be up to until they start attacking. Soon, it is too dangerous to be outside as the birds have already killed all the people around Nat and his family. He boards up his house and eventually they are safe.
The Birds was written to tell us about man’s eternal conflict with nature. Though du Maurier did show how the birds almost wiped out humans, I think her plot was not believable and realistic, thus making the story not interesting to read.
Even though in the end, we see that Nat is safely in his home, the external conflict is not fully resolved; it just ends with him sitting, smoking his last cigarette. I did not like this because it doesn’t tell us the outcome of the birds’ attack: Do they eventually leave or take over the world?
The story includes small details that visually describe the birds and make the images vivid in our minds. ‘Little brains…stabbing beaks…piercing eyes…’ but she doesn’t exactly explain where they came from, and why.
In conclusion, The Birds was a lengthy short story about how humans tried to survive fierce bird attacks that were highly unlikely. The readers can’t connect with the characters at all since no one shares these experiences, and since it’s not that easy to understand, I wouldn’t recommend it to most children.

Thanks
-MC

It is fine as written, it is an opinion piece. Somehow you didn't connect with the story, that is ok.

My opinion diverges from your analysis, I think the birds (and weather) just reflect nature that stands apart from humans. Most humans shares these experiences nearly everyday, especially those of us ecology minded.

Your writing is getting better. As an aside, you might now reread Poes The Raven, and try to decide how Poe saw that Bird.

Thank you!!

-MC

Your essay on "The Birds" by Daphne du Maurier is a good start, but let's discuss how we can further analyze and develop your observations.

First, it's important to note that your analysis should focus on the story's literary elements such as theme, plot, setting, characters, and writing style. By examining these aspects, you can provide a more comprehensive analysis of the story.

Let's start with the theme of man's eternal conflict with nature, which you mentioned. Expand on this idea by discussing how the birds represent nature's unpredictability and the powerlessness of humans against natural forces. Analyze how the characters in the story, like Nat Hocken, struggle to survive against the birds, and explore the deeper meaning behind their battle.

In regards to the plot, your essay mentions that it was not believable and realistic. To strengthen this argument, look for specific instances in the story where the plot was unrealistic or lacked proper development. Consider discussing whether this detracted from your overall enjoyment or understanding of the story.

Additionally, explore the concept of unresolved conflicts in the story. You mention that the external conflict is not fully resolved, as it ends with Nat sitting and smoking his last cigarette. Discuss the effect this has on the story's resolution and whether you found it satisfying or not. Speculate on the potential outcome of the bird attacks and how it contributes to the story's overall ambiguity.

When analyzing the characterization, consider how the characters' responses to the bird attacks reveal their true nature. Explore Nat's role as a war veteran and how it shapes his actions and decisions throughout the story. Do any other characters stand out? How do they contribute to the overall theme or message of the story?

Lastly, address the writing style and descriptive language used by the author. You mention that Du Maurier includes small details that make the images vivid in your mind. Look for more examples of these descriptive passages and analyze how they enhance the reader's understanding and engagement with the story.

Remember to support your analysis with specific examples from the text. By evaluating the various literary elements and providing detailed explanations, your analysis will become more comprehensive and persuasive.