Motifs are a repetition of ideas. “Waxen Wings” is an illustration of repetition of different ideas. One example would be the repetition of flying. Songnan writes, “ You walk toward the playground...you sit on the wooden seat..”(164). This is at the beginning of the story where she wants to fly, yet her teacher systematically destroys her dreams. At the end of the story, Birdie tries to fly again after her injury from the hang gliding: “You sat on the swing...you backed up two paces and lifted your feet.”(181). Here Birdie is convinced that she can fly, but eventually returns to the hospital once again. The theme of the story is connected to the repetition of flying. Birdie, at the age of ten, is told that she would not be capable of
