Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Bach, Richard
Readability: 6
Setting: The sea
Main Character: Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Ageless

Jonathan was a seagull who would not act like other seagulls and display proper conduct by following the crowd. He had to find himself. The more he tried, the more he learned and the more displeased the flock became. Several times he thought he should follow his father's orders and "be a poor, limited seagull. " But Jonathan decided against his father's wises and set out to find himself

This story can be interpreted in many different ways and at several different depths.

Jonathan is a seagull who is not content to be just an ordinary seagull flying around in order to find food. Jonathan tries, tries, fails, and tries again to better his flying skill and by so doing, is condemned as an "outsider" and is not to return to his flock.

Jonathan knew he could lift himself out of ignorance and be free to be what he could if he opened his eyes to see. Due to this knowledge, Jonathan is lifted to a higher level of perfection.

Chiang teaches Jonathan and constantly reminds him that he must never stop learning and striving to understand more of the perfect invisible principle of life -- love.

Jonathan soon becomes a teacher and returns to his flock.

Questions:

1. What main idea does Jonathan try to teach?


2. Had Jonathan actually gone to Heaven when he entered a new life?


3. Why did Jonathan return to his flock to teach them to fly?


4. Why did Chiang seem to disappear?


5. What kind of people would enjoy being like Jonathan Livinston Seagull?