"The Thing with Feathers"

The article “ The Thing with Feathers” is different than any article that we have read so far.  The main difference being the informal style of writing the writer took.  However, I liked the different style, I felt like it connected more towards myself, which inevitably is the audience.  I am not educated on the ivorybill or other birds for that example, making the title very appealing.  I liked how the author used the word “thing” showing the lack of knowledge of what the creature actually was.  Throughout the piece I think the writer portrayed an accurate description on how the average individual reacts to the information of the discovery of an almost distinct animal.  Prior to hearing the information, it is likely that the common folk has never even heard of the animal and doesn’t know what they look like.  But once they hear of the discovery it is the natural reaction to be amazed and to almost feel special that the animal resides in your environment.  It creates a bandwagon effect, and the surrounding community almost feels like experts on the bird I feel.  In the article he shows this through the community having different businesses and fairs named after the bird.  The community also try’s to gain revenue from the fact that the bird was spotted there.  Also adding to the informal style of the article was the face that the author was an ordinary man; he did not have a deep education on bird but rather a passion.

            In answer to Rachel’s question: what would you do if you were in his situation?  I would probably not share with people that I saw an ivorybill, because I too would fear I just saw an ordinary woodpecker.  I do not have much knowledge on birds, I think they are interesting animals, but when it comes to my interests and expertise birds aren’t high on my list.  So for now, I will leave the bird discovery to the experts.