The subject of adoption in Warrior Cats...
Sept 23, 2024 2:28:22 GMT -5
silverstarpenguin and wygolvillage like this
Post by pouetfairy on Sept 23, 2024 2:28:22 GMT -5
While we've had some really bad surrogate parents, like Pinenose and Lizardstripe, we've also seen some good examples, like Lilyheart and Graypool. However, I find that this theme is not treated well as soon as it comes into the limelight.
1 - Bramblestar and Squirrelflight
Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight are present and loving parents to Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather throughout POT.
When the truth comes to light, the three young cats and Brambleclaw react in a completely understandable way: greatly hurt by Squirrelflight and Leafpool's lie, devastated and broken by a deep feeling of betrayal and deception, their little family shatters and they move drastically away from each other.
During OOTS, Brambleclaw royally ignores his former partner, which is completely understandable once again: even if Squirrelflight had excellent reasons to act this way, his fury is legitimate. Besides that, Brambleclaw remains a protective and proud father figure to his offspring; he doesn't hesitate to lie about Ashfur's death to cover up for Hollyleaf, for example. As for Squirrelflight, she will never stop telling the three cats that she considers and loves them as her own, despite the implacable rejection she faces (this is understandable, once again).
At the end of OOTS, everyone mends and forgives each other; in "Bramblestar's Storm", Bramblestar finally accepts the situation for good by understanding that he remains the father of Jayfeather, Hollyleaf and Lionblaze, no matter what happens.
My problem arises from AVOS: depending on the books, the narration seems to irregularly forget the links uniting the 4 cats. In a book, they act like a family; in the next, they behave like complete strangers. In comparison, Alderheart and Sparkpelt are ALWAYS presented as the children of Squirrelflight and Bramblestar.
My problem with that is from the precise moment when Squirrelflight and Bramblestar have biological descendants, Jayfeather and Lionblaze are no longer considered as their childs by the narration, except when the story needs to. And knowing how much their family history impacted the series, it really bothers me that their connections frequently get overlooked.
2 - Gray Wing
Now let's talk about THE good guy, one of the most generous, noble and loving guys in the saga, namely Gray Wing. He's an incredible foster father to Thunder and Turtle Tail's three kittens; no one can doubt his affection for them, his investment in these four felines. Overall, the text makes us understand that Gray Wing is considered the true father of all these people.
However, and we come to what motivated me to write this, there is always a moment when WC reminds us more or less subtly that nothing beats biological kittens, and that no adopted kitten will ever replace of his flesh. And that bothers me. It's a terrible message, completely wrong and never really denied in this universe.
When Wind Runner loses Emberkit and Gray Wing awkwardly tries to comfort her, she replies: "How would you know? You’re not a mother. You’re not even a father! Just because you’ve borrowed Turtle Tail’s kits and pretended they’re your own, you think you know what it’s like.” So ok, her words are clearly beyond her thoughts because she is grieving; what's more, she will later apologize to Gray Wing... Without going back on her words either.
When Quiet Rain notices how close Pebble Heart is to Gray Wing, she states that he must have raised him well. It's a very cute moment, we agree... Except that she continues directly with this: "You should have a mate and kits of your own.” As if an adopted child couldn't fulfill you, as if you were always missing something as long as you haven't passed on your genes...
3 - Hawkwing
"Hawkwing's Journey" is one of my favorite special editions, and one of the reasons for that is the bond between Hawkwing, Plumwillow and her kits. The theme of adoption has rarely been treated so well: the way Hawkwing fills the void caused by the disappearance of his pregnant mate; the fact that the kittens reject their biological father altogether when he finds them, since they consider Hawkwing to be their true father; the way Hawkwing steps aside to let Sandynose find his place within his family, while continuing to sincerely love the kittens... I think it's perfectly executed, we feel how difficult the situation is difficult and complex on all sides.
But obviously, the narration had to remind us that once again, a child of heart can never take on as much importance as a child of blood... After having congratulated the kittens during their apprentice ceremony, Hawking thinks this: "These are not my kits, he reminded himself. They will always have a place in my heart, but they can’t truly fill the hole Pebbleshine and our kits have left behind."
To conclude: I find it extremely unfortunate that the saga continually needs to bring up this kind of reflection when the theme of adoption is the topic.
1 - Bramblestar and Squirrelflight
Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight are present and loving parents to Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather throughout POT.
When the truth comes to light, the three young cats and Brambleclaw react in a completely understandable way: greatly hurt by Squirrelflight and Leafpool's lie, devastated and broken by a deep feeling of betrayal and deception, their little family shatters and they move drastically away from each other.
During OOTS, Brambleclaw royally ignores his former partner, which is completely understandable once again: even if Squirrelflight had excellent reasons to act this way, his fury is legitimate. Besides that, Brambleclaw remains a protective and proud father figure to his offspring; he doesn't hesitate to lie about Ashfur's death to cover up for Hollyleaf, for example. As for Squirrelflight, she will never stop telling the three cats that she considers and loves them as her own, despite the implacable rejection she faces (this is understandable, once again).
At the end of OOTS, everyone mends and forgives each other; in "Bramblestar's Storm", Bramblestar finally accepts the situation for good by understanding that he remains the father of Jayfeather, Hollyleaf and Lionblaze, no matter what happens.
My problem arises from AVOS: depending on the books, the narration seems to irregularly forget the links uniting the 4 cats. In a book, they act like a family; in the next, they behave like complete strangers. In comparison, Alderheart and Sparkpelt are ALWAYS presented as the children of Squirrelflight and Bramblestar.
My problem with that is from the precise moment when Squirrelflight and Bramblestar have biological descendants, Jayfeather and Lionblaze are no longer considered as their childs by the narration, except when the story needs to. And knowing how much their family history impacted the series, it really bothers me that their connections frequently get overlooked.
2 - Gray Wing
Now let's talk about THE good guy, one of the most generous, noble and loving guys in the saga, namely Gray Wing. He's an incredible foster father to Thunder and Turtle Tail's three kittens; no one can doubt his affection for them, his investment in these four felines. Overall, the text makes us understand that Gray Wing is considered the true father of all these people.
However, and we come to what motivated me to write this, there is always a moment when WC reminds us more or less subtly that nothing beats biological kittens, and that no adopted kitten will ever replace of his flesh. And that bothers me. It's a terrible message, completely wrong and never really denied in this universe.
When Wind Runner loses Emberkit and Gray Wing awkwardly tries to comfort her, she replies: "How would you know? You’re not a mother. You’re not even a father! Just because you’ve borrowed Turtle Tail’s kits and pretended they’re your own, you think you know what it’s like.” So ok, her words are clearly beyond her thoughts because she is grieving; what's more, she will later apologize to Gray Wing... Without going back on her words either.
When Quiet Rain notices how close Pebble Heart is to Gray Wing, she states that he must have raised him well. It's a very cute moment, we agree... Except that she continues directly with this: "You should have a mate and kits of your own.” As if an adopted child couldn't fulfill you, as if you were always missing something as long as you haven't passed on your genes...
3 - Hawkwing
"Hawkwing's Journey" is one of my favorite special editions, and one of the reasons for that is the bond between Hawkwing, Plumwillow and her kits. The theme of adoption has rarely been treated so well: the way Hawkwing fills the void caused by the disappearance of his pregnant mate; the fact that the kittens reject their biological father altogether when he finds them, since they consider Hawkwing to be their true father; the way Hawkwing steps aside to let Sandynose find his place within his family, while continuing to sincerely love the kittens... I think it's perfectly executed, we feel how difficult the situation is difficult and complex on all sides.
But obviously, the narration had to remind us that once again, a child of heart can never take on as much importance as a child of blood... After having congratulated the kittens during their apprentice ceremony, Hawking thinks this: "These are not my kits, he reminded himself. They will always have a place in my heart, but they can’t truly fill the hole Pebbleshine and our kits have left behind."
To conclude: I find it extremely unfortunate that the saga continually needs to bring up this kind of reflection when the theme of adoption is the topic.