The Blue Bird: A Fairy Play in Six Acts: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Blue Bird: A Fairy Play in Six Acts" explores themes of innocence, courage, and the quest for happiness through its major characters. The story follows Tyltyl, a naive woodcutter's son, who embarks on an adventurous journey to find the Blue Bird, which is believed to cure the Fairy Bérylune's ailing daughter. Alongside his sister Mytyl, who embodies innocence but struggles with fear, and their anthropomorphized companions—a loyal dog named Tylo and a cunning cat named Tylette—Tyltyl navigates various realms that challenge their understanding of life.
Bérylune, the mysterious fairy, initially appears grotesque but transforms to motivate the children on their quest, symbolizing the duality of appearances and the potential for inner beauty. The play emphasizes the importance of resilience and personal growth, as Tyltyl learns to accept the elusiveness of happiness. Mytyl's journey reflects her development in recognizing duty and sacrifice while confronting her emotional vulnerabilities. The contrasting dynamics between the dog and cat add depth to their adventure, highlighting themes of loyalty versus self-interest. Overall, the characters' experiences serve as a metaphor for the ongoing human pursuit of joy and self-discovery.
The Blue Bird: A Fairy Play in Six Acts: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Maurice Maeterlinck
First published: L'Oiseau bleu, 1909 (English translation, 1909)
Genre: Play
Locale: An imaginary land, France, and Belgium
Plot: Allegory
Time: The early twentieth century
Tyltyl (teel-teel), a woodcutter's son. Dressed in a light-blue jacket, scarlet knickerbockers, and white knee-length socks, he is innocent and naïve. At the beginning of the play, which takes place during the Christmas season, he notices the abundance of gifts and cakes enjoyed by his rich neighbors. Accepting his situation without rancor and jealousy, he participates vicariously in their pleasures. The Fairy Bérylune appears at night and asks him to seek the Blue Bird needed to cure her ill daughter. Adventurous and courageous, he finds the Fairy interesting and stimulating, and he answers her questions on her grotesque appearance forthrightly and accurately. His good nature prompts him to seek the Blue Bird, and the Fairy arms him with a magic diamond that enables him to defeat possible adversaries. Along with his sister Mytyl, his dog, his cat, and everyday commodities that are anthropomorphized (for example, Bread, Sugar, Fire, Water, and Milk), he undertakes a journey leading to four successive realms. Although he becomes afraid during his encounter with the Oak and the other elements of nature seeking revenge for past human wrongs, he finds the strength and courage to endure pain and to keep his promise to the Fairy. He encourages Mytyl to share the dangers and difficulties of the quest. At the end, he returns to the security of his home. He is realistic and acknowledges his failure to capture the Blue Bird; however, he generously relinquishes his own blue bird to Madame Berlingot, who, in turn, gives it to her daughter. Cured, the neighbor's daughter finds momentary happiness. Just as the Blue Bird eludes capture, however, Tyltyl's bird escapes. Resigned to the situation, Tyltyl recognizes the continual need to seek the bird. By pursuing the quest of happiness, he is prepared again to undertake a voyage to a deeper understanding of life.
Mytyl (mee-teel), Tyltyl's sister. Appearing in a Red Riding Hood costume, she resembles her brother in innocence and purity. She loves her family and expresses joy in being reunited with her deceased grandparents, brothers, and sisters. In undertaking the journey to capture the Blue Bird, however, she lacks Tyltyl's resolve and fortitude. During her encounter with Night, she gives in to anxieties, crying and complaining as Tyltyl is about to open the door to the Forest. In contending with nature's elements, she emits horrifying screams, and unlike her brother, she appears more human than heroic. The search for the Blue Bird reflects a growth of self-understanding and wisdom: She distinguishes the differences of character between the dog and the cat and, like her brother, discovers the secrets of life, the significance of duty and sacrifice, and the elusive and transitory nature of happiness.
Bérylune (bay-ree-lewn), a fairy who appears at the end of the play as Madame Berlingot (behr-ling-oh), the woodcutter's neighbor. Initially, she enters crippled and grotesque, walking with a cane and appearing with a conjoining nose and chin. She asks Tyltyl and Mytyl to capture the Blue Bird needed for the recovery of her daughter. She gives them a magic diamond that provides them with a supernatural force to ensure their safety. To convince them to undertake the quest, she uses the enchanted jewel to undergo a self-transformation from a hag to a beautiful princess, then to instill life into the furniture and other inanimate objects. At the conclusion, she reappears as the neighbor, accompanied by her beautiful young daughter, who is lame. Tyltyl's bird brings about a miraculous cure, which, in turn, induces gratitude from Madame Berlingot.
Tylo (tee-loh), a bulldog anthropomorphized during the journey. Instinctively, it opposes the character of Tylette, the cat. Consistently loyal to the children, it fights valiantly during the battle with the elements and often shows excessive affection to its masters.
Tylette (tee-leht), the cat. Constantly wary of Tylo, the dog, it is hypocritical and independent. It attempts to dissuade the children from carrying out their promise of capturing the Blue Bird, and it informs Night of the children's intention. At the same time, it pretends to help them to locate the Blue Bird. Unlike Tylo, it does not defend them in the battle against the elements, and, as a character contrary to the dog, it seeks to confine and denigrate its natural adversary.
Light, the Fairy's assistant, who guides the children on a journey to insight into life's secrets and the meaning of happiness.