A Bird In The House

By Margaret Laurence 
"The Loons"

1) Meaning of the chapter: -Connects back to Piquette's life -"loons"
used as a metaphor to describe the lack of attention and belonging e.g.
Piquette did not go to school and stayed home at all times

2) Major Event: - Piquette going forth to the Connors cottage
 - first time Piquette showed that she can relate
 to somebody
 i.e. Vanessa's father

3) Major Conflict: -Piquette does not fit in with the Connor family
e.g. Mother thought that Piquette had lice; Grandmother McLeod refused
to go to the cottage with her and Vanessa's father orders her to get
along with Piquette. Vanessa also only "uses" Piquette as an
"informing guide" for the wild.

4) Explain what we learned about the family: Grandmother McLeod is
 prejudice against people of lower class.
 - Beth is the typical mother in response to
 thinking that Piquette would be a bad influence
 on her child BUT once Beth got to know
 Piquette, she welcomed her to
stay -Ewen Connor is considerate, kind, and showed compassion to
Piquette. - Vanessa tried to be friends with Piquette

5) Functions of the Characters outside of the family: -Piquette shows
the horrible reality of the world
 that some people go through life not really
 belonging anywhere

6) Explain what and how Vanessa learns about life: Vanessa learns
that not all people are not as lucky as she is to have a family, home,
and belonging in life
 -Vanessa finds it hard to cope with the change
 of having one of her fathers patience's as an
 acquaintance. - Vanessa learns that sharing
 intimate moments with another will bring them
 closer together in spirit. - Vanessa learns a
 great deal about the nature and life.

7) Explain the significance of the last sentence of the chapter:
Piquette can relate to the loons better than anyone else because both
loons and her have no sense of belonging nor hope so they eventually
ceased to extinct mind, body or soul.