Catherine, Called Birdy

The central conflict of the book—Birdy’s rejection of marriage—reflects its major theme: In the medieval period, people’s roles in society are rigidly defined, mostly based on their gender and class status. Birdy’s determination not to be married off goes against all of her training to be a lady and against the clear delineation of gender expectations. While her father’s abusive behavior may seem distasteful to our modern sensibilities, within the medieval context, his irritation with and anger toward Birdy’s rejection of his plans is the norm. As a woman, Birdy would be seen as a piece of property more than an individual.

The fact that she is of noble birth—not castle nobility, but to the manor born—restricts her movements and choices even further. Not only is she expected to get married because of her gender, but she is also expected to make a good match because of her class. Birdy’s marriage is not a matter of individual choice or desire but a matter of securing family property, expanding wealth, and reinforcing power. In general, marriage among the landed classes were negotiations to consolidate or increase assets like land, and to foster political alliances. These facts may explain what might otherwise be a disappointing ending: Birdy’s eventual change in disposition toward marriage was facilitated by the change in suitors, but it is also an unavoidable conclusion if the author is true to the time period.