“Birds were what became of dinosaurs. Those mountains of flesh whose petrified bones were on display at the Museum of Natural History had done some brilliant retooling over the ages and could now be found living in the form of orioles in the sycamores across the street. As solutions to the problem of earthly existence, the dinosaurs had been pretty great, but blue-headed vireos and yellow warblers and white-throated sparrows - feather-light, hollow-boned, full of song were even greater. Birds were like dinosaurs' better selves. They had short lives and long summers. We all should be so lucky as to leave behind such heirs.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Jonathan Franzen, the author draws a connection between dinosaurs and birds, highlighting the evolutionary journey from massive creatures to the delicate and melodious birds we see today. Franzen portrays birds as the superior beings, describing them as the "better selves" of the dinosaurs. He emphasizes the beauty and elegance of birds compared to their prehistoric ancestors, noting their short lives filled with song. By suggesting that we all should aspire to leave behind such "heirs," Franzen celebrates the enduring legacy and grace of birds in the natural world.
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Jonathan Franzen, the connection between dinosaurs and birds is highlighted in a poetic and insightful way. This comparison serves as a reminder of the evolution and adaptability of species over time, as well as the importance of cherishing the natural world.
As we look at the world around us today, with climate change and habitat destruction threatening many bird species, it is crucial to appreciate and protect these creatures that have evolved from the mighty dinosaurs. We can learn from birds' resilience and beauty, and strive to create a future where they continue to thrive alongside us.
Example of Usage
In this quote from Jonathan Franzen's novel, the author reflects on the evolution of dinosaurs into birds and how birds have become the "better selves" of their prehistoric ancestors. Franzen beautifully describes the transformation of dinosaurs into the graceful and melodic creatures that we see today.
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on this quote from Jonathan Franzen, consider the following questions:
- How does the idea of birds being the "better selves" of dinosaurs make you think about the natural world and evolution?
- In what ways do you see birds as symbols of transformation, adaptation, and resilience?
- How does this quote inspire you to appreciate the beauty and significance of even the smallest creatures in our world?
- Do you agree with Franzen's notion that birds represent the best aspects of dinosaurs, or do you have a different perspective on the relationship between these creatures?
Similar quotes
“Birds were like dinosaurs' better selves. They had short lives and long summers. We all should be so lucky as to leave behind such heirs.”
“Geologists think the mountains were formed by several distinct tectonic events over the course of 500 million years, a span of time that represents a thick slice of the planet's geological record. The Appalachians once soared as high as the Rockies or even higher. They were most recently thrust upward about 290 million years ago, which makes these mountains older than the bones of the first dinosaurs. They predate the appearance of deciduous trees. They are older than flowers. There were mountains here before the Earth had ever seen anything as fantastic as grass. Some of the rocks were formed in the Precambrian Era, in that gray epoch when life was pondering a wholesale leap from one cell to many.”
“We had a great friendship, good sex, a shared passion for the dinosaur room at the Museum of Natural History and Haagen-Daz French Vanilla ice cream. But love is more than the sum of its parts, isn't it?”
“I sat back in my chair - it was almost impossible to take all this in at once. The dinosaurs were wiped out by an... intergalactic council? “Dinosaurs were wiped out by a meteor.” I stated, trying to hold on to some vestige of normality. He shrugged. “Believe that if you want to.”
“Staring at the stars was like staring backward in time, since some stars are so far away that their light takes millions of years just to reach us. That we see stars not as they look now, but as they were when dinosaurs roamed the earth. The whole concept just struck me as…amazing somehow.”