Genre
Drama
Language
English
Setting and Context
An unnamed town in America - 1982 and 20 years later
Narrator and Point of View
POV is that of Daniel, Richard, and Alice
Tone and Mood
Dramatic, Surreal
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonists are Daniel, Richard, and Alice. Antagonists are the group of boys, Mrs. Rice, and (depending on perspective) Daniel.
Major Conflict
Daniel has a desire to fly so he builds wings to do so. Only Richard wants to help him to do so. Daniel flies and shows his ability to to Alice before leaving.
Climax
Daniel returns home 20 years later in order to take Alice away with him, but she has a family and won't go with him. Daniel attempts to fly off Hatch's Cliff once more but falls this time. He dies in Alice's bed with Richard near, and his soul flies out the window that opens upon him dying and we hear wind chimes.
Foreshadowing
Daniel flying with Alice foreshadows his coming back for her years later.
Understatement
It is understated as to how Daniel obtained his ability to fly.
Allusions
The play is an allusion to the gift of dreams within children and how they either grow or suffocate based on the belief systems within the child.
Imagery
Daniel flying off of Hatch's Cliff.
The boys with the nude photograph of a woman in the opening.
Daniel on top of his desk flying.
Paradox
Daniel wants Alice to fly off with him now that she has a family, paradoxically he could have flown away with her at a younger age but chose not to.
Parallelism
Daniel's spirit flying out of Alice's window after his death parallels his flying with her in her room when they are 12.
Personification
No specific uses.
Use of Dramatic Devices
The children in stage directions are said to see Daniel flying off of Hatch's Cliff.
Window opening and wind chimes ringing upon Daniel's death.
