Literally Leander discussion

The book for the month of August 2020 was The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen. Be aware of spoilers in this thread! (And some discussion in prepartion for the next book, too!)

Staff have been incredibly busy while everyone's been in quarantine, and this month we have them to thank for our discussion prompt questions. As always, don't feel pressured to answer these. We're not summer school! If you want to use them, fantastic! If you don't, we'd love to see anything you have to say about this book, whether it be complaints, questions, or general excitement. Without further ado, our prompts:

1. Why do you think the author chose to split factions using the caste system? Is there a different way you would have set up the framework for this novel? If so, what would it be?

2. Do you think there is significance behind the bird names for each caste? How does each bird coincide with its caste birthright?

3. Why do you think the other castes dislike the Crows so much? How does the judgment of others influence Fie’s choices? What about the choices of the other Crows?

4. Discuss the differences between Fie and Hangdog. As chiefs in training, how are they the same? How do they differ? If you were part of a Crow band, who would you want to be your leader, and why?

5. What is your definition of a good leader? Keeping your answer in mind, would Jasimir make a good king? How are he and Fie, as future leaders, similar? What do they learn from each other?

6. Are you planning to continue the series? What to expect for Fie, Tavin, and Jasimir in the future?

I really enjoyed The Merciful Crow. So much, in fact, that I was willing to read it twice in preparation for discussion... which I promptly forgot about posting. *shrugs*

So here I am, a few months late, but willing to talk!

1. Why do you think the author chose to split factions using the caste system? Is there a different way you would have set up the framework for this novel? If so, what would it be?
The truth is that we'll never be free from some sort of class system. Every herd animal relies on some sort of hierarchy, humans included. We are taught from an early age to recognize these class lines. However, in modern times, we are much more relaxed about them. For instance, socioeconomics; we still have low class and upper class, and any mingling between them will likely bring up deragatory terms like "gold-digging" or "slumming," but it's not illegal for people of different classes to mix.

However, a caste system is extremely rigid. And, by definition, it better fits the storyline. The caste system is characterized by 1) Seeing others in the same group as "suitable" for close relationships, be they platonic or romantic; 2) Inheriting rituals and occupations. Seeing as each caste inherits a certain power, and in the Crows' case, a job, it is definitely the more fitting term. While it's not outrageous for some of the castes to mix, no other caste is willing to mix with Crows.

One thing that I think is interesting to point out is that, especially in older traditions, the caste system exists parallel to the social ideas of purity. The Crows, the lowest tier, are said to be Sinners in previous lives, and therefore cursed to a nomadic life of mercy killing. Meanwhile, the other castes are non-sinners, and seen in various economic stages; servants, courtiers, and royalty.

2. Do you think there is significance behind the bird names for each caste? How does each bird coincide with its caste birthright?
Since it's been a while, I can't remember every caste and their birthright. And, unfortunately, my searches on Google for an image were fruitless. I remember some of them, so those are the ones I'll touch on.

Phoenixes, the royalty, were given the birthright of fire. The Phoenix caste is the only one that has a bird that is mythological, which is interesting, yet I can't exactly think of a good reason why. However, touching a bit on my previous comment about caste system and purity, I can't help but wonder if the Phoenixes were chosen because fire is often thought of as a way to destroy impurities, making them the exact opposite of the Crows, who are the impure.

I remember there being Swans and Peacocks. One of which were illusions, I don't remember. Either way, they were part of the courtiers, and all of the birds in that caste were often thought of as beautiful.

I believe the Hawks had the birthright of Blood, and Vultures had the birthright of Skin. I'm not sure if that's right, but they were both part of the "hunters," which was fitting; these birds are known for either being predatory (Hawks) or scavengers (Vultures.) Their birthrights were fitting in these terms; Hawks are warriors who are able to heal or disfigure. Vultures were expert trackers.

From the common castes, I only remember the Pigeons, who have a birthright that lets them fade from view. I think that was rather fitting because pigeons are everywhere, yet we often ignore them as we walk by. Their birthright also made them ideal servants for the courtiers; they were rather invisible.

Finally, the Crows. To be perfectly honest, I have a thing for crows and ravens. They're beautiful birds if you ask me, and they're smart and resourceful, yet often get a bad rap due to their perceived ties to darkness (and, in the older days, paganism.) The Crows, like their birds, are smart and resourceful; their birthright allows them to "steal" the birthrights of others... and if you've never met a crow who liked shiny things (and would steal it from you), then you've never met a crow.

4. Discuss the differences between Fie and Hangdog. As chiefs in training, how are they the same? How do they differ? If you were part of a Crow band, who would you want to be your leader, and why?
In comparison, Fie is much more mature than Hangdog. She also has a stronger sense of familial duty, as we see when Fie sticks up for her Crow family and Hangdog betrays them. But the biggest difference between them is the way they react to being the underdogs. Fie sees it as a challenge, a social problem that should be fixed. Hangdog, however, takes a "woe is me" attitude.

If I was in a Crow band, I would hands down prefer Fie over Hangdog. While it was definitely sad that Hangdog was killed off over the course of the novel, I honestly can't imagine a different ending for him, which is sad. He was bitter and hateful, and it would be unlikely that he would ever lead a band successfully.

6. Are you planning to continue the series? What to expect for Fie, Tavin, and Jasimir in the future?
Absolutely! I can't wait to dig into The Faithless Hawk!