MovieChat Forums > The Natural (1984) Discussion > Harriet Bird's issue

Harriet Bird's issue

posted 13 years ago by Brennan-8
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Was Roy the third athlete she shot? Robert Duvall's character is reading a newspaper article about the other cases.

Obviously Bird was psychotic, but what was her issue - she wanted to kill people who were the best at what they do, and then kill herself? I wonder if the book goes into her character better than the movie.

In the movie she was not a person so much as a symbol or metaphor. She was just evil and destructive, so she always wore black like Memo. Then Iris comes along like an angel in white.

[–] ranier 13 years ago

If one considers the allusions to Greek literature, Harriet Bird is a Siren. The Sirens doomed all who heard their song and wrecked their ships as they sought the hypnotic sound. Not to read too much into the story - but it fits the characterization as do the other items listed on another board. One ponders.