joyas voladoras rhetorical analysis essay

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Rhetorical Analysis – Joyas Voladores

“Joyas Voladores,” flying jewels, is the essay finely crafted by Brian Doyle who is now an editor of the University of Portland’s Portland Magazine. In this short essay, the author characterizes heart, which is the organ used for blood circulation and maintenance of our life, as our complex emotion that we all have. In doing so, he sincerely and skillfully points out that we all have the common nature of emotion no matter how they are different.

At the beginning of the essay, the author Doyle states the various features to characterize Hummingbird, which helps him to illustrate one specific type of heart, the mad heart. In the first paragraph, he starts to illustrate the hummingbird’s heart by stating “hummingbird’s heart beats ten times a second” and “their hearts hammering faster than we could clearly hear if we pressed our elephantine ears to their infinitesimal chests”. By stating the numerical data and using vivid sensory languages with direct reference to a human body that creates a concrete image of incredibly fast-paced animals, his quotes not only helps to emphasize his main point of hummingbird’s heart but also help readers to get a complete understanding of the nature of hummingbird’s heart. Also, his stylistic and direct way of choosing a word in contrasting the size of heart to its speediness further magnifies his point and emotionally appeals the readers of the beauty of the flourishing life of hummingbirds which is later described as “incredible enormous immense ferocious metabolisms.”

After Doyle describes how fast hummingbird’s heart is, he starts to illustrate the pain of hummingbird’s way of spending life and makes connections to other creatures way of spending their life, too. In the second paragraph, he mentions “but when they rest they come close to death” and through the middle of the essay, he also states “the price of their ambition is a life closer to death; they suffer heart attacks and aneurysms and ruptures more than any other living creatures.” His use of both highly connotative style of word choice and inclusion of extreme diseases to show the negative effect of “mad heart” makes the author to underline his main point that fast way of using heart lead hummingbird to live shorter that creates heartbreaking tone . Furthermore, in the third paragraph, he states “Every creature on earth has approximately two billion heartbeats to spend in a lifetime” and said we can choose to spend the hearts either as tortoise who live longer or as hummingbird who live shorter. Through the generalization of some heartbeats and distinct comparison of speed to tortoise, the author further extends the variety of hearts from hummingbird’s fast heart to tortoise’s slow heart. Also, this particular connection helps readers to consider the hummingbird’s fast heart as one of our way of spending emotion which may last shorter than other ways.

The author slowly stops to illustrate about hummingbird’s heart but introduces one of the other types of heart which is the big heart of blue whale. In paragraph four, the author says “[whale’s heart] weighs more than seven tons” and “a child could walk around in it, head high, bending only to step through the valves.” As the author clarifies a whale with numerical data and imagery through the physical image of a child, he not only shows his point of view to his audience but also expands the overall meaning of the big whale’s heart to the kind and unselfish character.

Through connection to the whale’s big heart, Doyle creatively shows blue whale’s companionship with other whales that have positive effects while the pains still exist in whale’s society . In the middle of paragraph four, Doyle mentions “for next to nothing is known of the mating habits, travel patterns, diet, social life, language, social structure, diseases, spirituality, wars, stories, despairs and arts of the blue whale” and blue whales’ “moaning cries, their piercing yearning tongue.” His use of various adjectives, sensuous language style, and pathos in depicting whale’s pain provokes both emotions of the joy of social life and sorrow. Moreover, against the common preconception of the companionship in which we expect only the positive result for big heart, Doyle’s counterview  allows him to reinforce that the big heart of whale costs certain pain and risk in a more forceful way while also helping convey his broader intention behind his main argument that all type of hearts have common nature of emotion that sometimes brings pain.

Finally, Doyle asserts that humans all have their unique form of heart that has a universal nature through illustrating human’s heart and its vulnerability that leads emotion to break down eventually. In paragraph five, from the beginning of the paragraph, the author enumerates lots of animals and their structure of hearts. Through narrowing down from mammals to unicellular bacteria, he systematically breaks down the various type of hearts into one common heart in which fluid flows. Then, the author states “No living being is without interior liquid motion. We all churn inside”. By using inclusive pronoun to include the readers into his idea of human’s common feature, Doyle not only successfully makes the connection from animals’ hearts to humans’ hearts that allows the readers to have further understanding of connection but also adds to the persuasiveness of the author’s main point that all human have the same feature of emotion which comes from the heart.

Doyle makes the further concentration on nature of human’s emotion and its breakdowns. In paragraph six, he states “We open windows to [the people we love], but we live alone in the house of the heart” and then later “yet fragile and rickety always, no matter how ferocious the defense and how many bricks you bring to the wall.” By figuratively elaborating the human’s emotion in term of the house and using complex sensory languages, he magnifies his crucial point that human’s emotion is vulnerable. Furthermore, Doyle adds “you can brick up your heart as stout and tight and hard and cold and impregnable as you possibly can and down it comes in an instant” because of the powerful emotional experiences such as “the memory of your father’s voice early in the morning echoing from the kitchen where he is making pancakes for his children.” Towards the end, Doyle deliberately uses lots of visual languages to highlight the fact which our heart is vulnerable even though you make the wall harder and regardless of who you are. Also, by enumerating the situations that could break down one’s wall in emotion, the author offers readers to remind the memory of their situation where their emotion breaks down which make the situation clear. Overall, Doyle not only states positive instant such as “women’s second glance,” but he deliberately includes the further situations that cause certain pains on emotion, in which the author explicitly imply our vulnerable nature of emotion also costs pain as a hummingbird and blue whale.

In the final lines of the text, Brian Doyle leaves the audience with the idea that we all brick up the wall which not only avoids the pain but also limits us from the positive aspects of vulnerability. In his article, Doyle uses multiple rhetorical devices and appeals to narrow down the various types of hearts to the universal nature of emotion from hummingbirds and blue whales to humans. By making the connotative and robust connection through explicit and abstract ways of writing, Doyle leads the audience to recall their own experience to make a connection to various types of hearts and to eventually realizes the both positive and negative sides of our heart’s vulnerability.

copyright 2018 Journal of Innovation & Social Change

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Short Story — Analysis Of Joyas Voladoras By Brian Doyle

Analysis of Joyas Voladoras by Brian Doyle

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Words: 479 |

Published: Dec 3, 2020

Words: 479 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

The essay analyzes Brian Doyle's essay, "Joyas Voladoras," which skillfully weaves together science, vivid descriptions, and poignant reflections to convey a powerful message about the human heart, both in its literal and metaphorical sense. Doyle explores the hearts of hummingbirds and whales, emphasizing the universality of this vital organ throughout the animal kingdom.

Doyle's choice to compare the hearts of such diverse creatures highlights the paradox of size and significance. He eloquently illustrates the frenetic heartbeat of a hummingbird, symbolizing life's brevity, in contrast to the majestic enormity of a blue whale's heart, emphasizing the importance of connection and community.

Throughout the essay, Doyle delves into the human condition, revealing our emotional complexities and vulnerabilities. He underscores the idea that, like the creatures he describes, humans often conceal their true selves and suppress their emotions, alluding to the fleeting nature of life.

Works Cited

• Doyle, B. (2004). Joyas Voladoras. The American Scholar, 73(2), 18-27.
• Ekman, P. (1992). An argument for basic emotions. Cognition & Emotion, 6(3-4), 169-200.
• Fredrickson, B. L., & Losada, M. F. (2005). Positive affect and the complex dynamics of human flourishing. American Psychologist, 60(7), 678-686.
• Gardner, H. (2011). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. Basic books.
• Lazarus, R. S. (1991). Emotion and adaptation. Oxford University Press.
• LeDoux, J. E. (1996). The emotional brain: The mysterious underpinnings of emotional life. Simon and Schuster.
• Panksepp, J. (2005). Affective consciousness: Core emotional feelings in animals and humans. Consciousness and Cognition, 14(1), 30-80.
• Plutchik, R. (2001). The nature of emotions: Human emotions have deep evolutionary roots, a fact that may explain their complexity and provide tools for clinical practice. American Scientist, 89(4), 344-350.
• Sander, D., Grandjean, D., & Scherer, K. R. (2005). A systems approach to appraisal mechanisms in emotion. Neural networks, 18(4), 317-352.
• Zajonc, R. B. (1984). On the primacy of affect. American Psychologist, 39(2), 117-123.

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Joyas Voladoras Analysis by Brian Doyle

Brian Doyle’s “Joyas Voladoras” is a captivating essay that takes readers on a journey through the wonders of the natural world, focusing on the hummingbird as its central metaphor. The title, which translates to “flying jewels” in English, perfectly captures the essence of these tiny, vibrant creatures.

In this analysis, we’ll explore the various themes, literary devices, and deeper meanings woven throughout Doyle’s masterful prose.

What You'll Learn

The Magnificent Hummingbird

A marvel of nature.

Doyle begins his essay by introducing us to the extraordinary world of hummingbirds. These tiny creatures are truly a marvel of nature, pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible in the animal kingdom. Let’s delve into some of the fascinating facts Doyle presents:

• Size and Speed : Hummingbirds are incredibly small, with some species weighing less than a penny. Despite their size, they can fly at speeds that would make most birds jealous. Imagine something smaller than your thumb zooming past you at 60 miles per hour!
• Heart Rate : The hummingbird’s heart is a powerhouse, beating at an astonishing rate of more than a thousand times per minute. To put this in perspective, that’s about ten times faster than a human heart!
• Wing Speed : Their wings are a blur of motion, flapping at up to 80 times per second. This rapid movement is what creates the characteristic humming sound that gives these birds their name.
• Metabolism : Hummingbirds have an incredibly fast metabolism. They need to eat constantly to keep up with their energy demands. In fact, they consume about half their body weight in sugar each day!

Survival Strategies

Doyle highlights the remarkable adaptations that allow hummingbirds to survive:

• Torpor : At night, hummingbirds enter a state called torpor, which is like a mini-hibernation. Their body temperature drops, and their metabolism slows down dramatically. This helps them conserve energy when they’re not feeding.
• Migration : Some species of hummingbirds undertake incredible journeys, flying non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico during migration. That’s over 500 miles without a break!
• Precision Flying : Hummingbirds can fly backwards, hover, and even fly upside down for short periods. This agility allows them to access nectar from a wide variety of flowers.

The Heart as a Metaphor

From hummingbirds to humans.

After introducing us to the wonder of hummingbirds, Doyle masterfully shifts his focus to the human heart. He uses the hummingbird’s heart as a springboard to explore the universal nature of hearts across species. This transition is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

The Blue Whale’s Heart

Doyle contrasts the tiny hummingbird heart with that of the blue whale:

• Size : A blue whale’s heart can weigh up to 400 pounds – about as heavy as a piano!
• Capacity : Each chamber of a blue whale’s heart can hold 100 gallons of blood. That’s enough to fill a small swimming pool!
• Heartbeat : Despite its enormous size, a blue whale’s heart beats only 5 to 6 times per minute when the whale is diving.

This comparison serves to illustrate the incredible diversity of life on our planet. From the tiniest hummingbird to the largest animal that has ever lived, the heart remains a central, vital organ.

The Human Heart

Doyle then brings us to the human heart, bridging the gap between the animal world and our own experiences:

• Emotional Capacity : Unlike the purely biological hearts of animals, the human heart is often associated with emotions and feelings. We speak of “heartbreak,” “heartache,” and “putting our heart into” something.
• Resilience : Doyle points out that the human heart beats about 3.5 billion times in an average lifetime. It’s a testament to the incredible endurance of this organ.
• Vulnerability : Despite its strength, the human heart is also incredibly vulnerable. Doyle reminds us that a single sharp blow, a tiny clot, can stop it forever.

The Power of Metaphor

Connecting the dots.

Doyle’s use of the heart as a metaphor is a powerful tool for connecting seemingly disparate ideas. By drawing parallels between the hearts of different species, he invites us to consider our place in the natural world and our connections to other living beings.

Universal Themes

Through this metaphor, Doyle touches on several universal themes:

• Life and Death : The beating heart is a symbol of life itself. When it stops, life ends. This simple fact unites all living creatures.
• Fragility and Strength : The heart is both incredibly strong (beating billions of times over a lifetime) and terribly fragile (vulnerable to sudden stoppage).
• Love and Emotion : For humans, the heart represents more than just a biological pump. It’s the seat of our emotions, particularly love.
• Interconnectedness : By comparing hearts across species, Doyle reminds us of our connections to the natural world.

Literary Devices and Techniques

Vivid imagery.

Doyle’s writing is rich with vivid imagery that brings his subjects to life. When he describes the hummingbird as a “jewel-like mystery,” we can almost see the iridescent feathers shimmering in the sun. His description of the blue whale’s heart as “a room with four chambers” helps us visualize its immense size.

Doyle uses repetition effectively throughout the essay. The phrase “joyas voladoras” appears multiple times, serving as a refrain that ties the piece together. He also repeats the idea of the heart beating, stopping, and beating again, reinforcing the rhythm of life itself.

The essay is built on contrasts: the tiny hummingbird versus the massive blue whale, the fragility of life versus the resilience of the heart, the biological function of the heart versus its emotional symbolism. These contrasts create tension and interest, keeping the reader engaged.

Personification

Doyle often attributes human qualities to the animals he describes. The hummingbirds are “tiny and colorful and flashing,” imbuing them with a sense of personality. This technique helps readers connect emotionally with the subjects of the essay.

Themes and Deeper Meanings

The miracle of life.

At its core, “Joyas Voladoras” is a celebration of the miracle of life. From the tiniest hummingbird to the largest whale, Doyle marvels at the incredible diversity and resilience of living beings. He invites us to share in this wonder, to look at the world around us with fresh eyes and appreciate the extraordinary in the ordinary.

The Fragility of Existence

While celebrating life, Doyle also reminds us of its fragility. The hummingbird’s heart, beating a thousand times a minute, could stop in an instant. The blue whale, despite its size, is vulnerable to human activities. Our own hearts, strong as they are, can be stilled by a tiny clot. This awareness of life’s fragility makes it all the more precious.

The Universality of Experience

By drawing parallels between different species, Doyle highlights the universality of certain experiences. All hearts beat, all hearts can stop. All living beings strive to survive, to continue their existence. This commonality creates a sense of kinship with the natural world.

The Power of Love

In the final section of the essay, Doyle turns to the human experience of love. He describes how we open and close our hearts, how we risk pain for the chance to connect with others. This exploration of love adds a deeply human dimension to the essay, connecting the biological reality of the heart with its emotional symbolism.

The Essay’s Structure

Opening with wonder.

Doyle begins his essay with a focus on the hummingbird, drawing readers in with fascinating facts and vivid descriptions. This opening serves to captivate the reader’s attention and set the tone of wonder that permeates the entire piece.

Expanding the Perspective

From the hummingbird, Doyle broadens his focus to include other animals, notably the blue whale. This expansion of perspective encourages readers to think more broadly about the natural world and our place in it.

Bringing it Home

Finally, Doyle narrows his focus to the human heart and the human experience of love. This brings the essay full circle, connecting the natural wonders he’s described with our own lived experiences.

The Power of Prose

Poetic language.

Doyle’s writing in “Joyas Voladoras” is notable for its poetic quality. His sentences often have a rhythmic, almost musical quality to them. For example: “So much held in a heart in a lifetime. So much held in a heart in a day, an hour, a moment.” This poetic prose enhances the emotional impact of the essay.

Sensory Details

Throughout the essay, Doyle employs rich sensory details to bring his subjects to life. We can almost hear the humming of the hummingbird’s wings, feel the immense presence of the blue whale, sense the steady thump of our own hearts.

Emotional Resonance

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Doyle’s writing is its emotional resonance. He doesn’t just present facts about hearts and animals; he connects these facts to our human experience in ways that touch our emotions. By the end of the essay, we’re not just intellectually engaged, but emotionally moved.

The Essay’s Impact

A new perspective.

One of the most significant impacts of “Joyas Voladoras” is the way it encourages readers to see the world differently. After reading this essay, it’s hard not to look at a hummingbird or think about our own hearts without a renewed sense of wonder.

Appreciation for Life

Doyle’s essay fosters a deep appreciation for the miracle of life in all its forms. From the tiniest hummingbird to the largest whale, from the simplest organism to the complexity of human emotion, the essay reminds us of the preciousness of existence.

Reflection on Our Place in the World

By drawing connections between different species and ultimately focusing on the human experience, Doyle invites us to reflect on our place in the natural world. We’re not separate from nature, but a part of it, connected to all other living beings through the simple fact of our beating hearts.

Emotional Impact

The essay’s exploration of love and the human heart often leaves readers deeply moved. It reminds us of our capacity for connection, for opening our hearts despite the risk of pain. This emotional impact lingers long after the final words are read.

Interpreting the Title

“joyas voladoras” – flying jewels.

The title “Joyas Voladoras” is Spanish for “flying jewels,” a poetic description of hummingbirds. This title is significant in several ways:

• Beauty : It emphasizes the beauty of hummingbirds, comparing them to precious gems.
• Motion : The “flying” part of the title highlights the constant motion that characterizes hummingbirds.
• Preciousness : By calling them jewels, Doyle suggests that hummingbirds (and by extension, all living things) are precious and valuable.
• Metaphor : The title serves as a metaphor for life itself – beautiful, constantly in motion, and infinitely precious.

The Essay’s Relevance Today

In a fast-paced world.

In our modern, fast-paced world, Doyle’s essay serves as a reminder to slow down and appreciate the wonders around us. The hummingbird’s rapid heartbeat might be seen as a metaphor for our busy lives, while the essay as a whole encourages us to take time for reflection and wonder.

Environmental Awareness

As we face growing environmental challenges, “Joyas Voladoras” reminds us of the incredible diversity and fragility of life on our planet. It can inspire readers to take a more active role in protecting the natural world.

Emotional Intelligence

In an age where technology often seems to dominate, Doyle’s exploration of the heart and human emotions reminds us of the importance of emotional intelligence and connection.

Classroom Applications

Interdisciplinary learning.

“Joyas Voladoras” offers excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary learning:

• Biology : Studying the actual biology of hummingbirds, whales, and the human heart.
• Literature : Analyzing Doyle’s use of literary devices and techniques.
• Philosophy : Discussing the themes of life, death, and our place in the natural world.
• Creative Writing : Using the essay as inspiration for students’ own nature-inspired writing.

Discussion Topics

The essay provides rich material for classroom discussions:

• What other animals could be described as “joyas voladoras”?
• How does Doyle’s essay change your perspective on your own heart?
• What connections can you draw between the natural world and human emotions?
• How does the essay’s structure contribute to its impact?

Personal Reflections

A call to wonder.

Reading “Joyas Voladoras” is like being gently shaken awake to the wonders of the world around us. It’s a reminder to look at life with fresh eyes, to marvel at the extraordinary nature of existence.

A Reminder of Fragility

The essay also serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life. In a world where we often feel invincible, Doyle’s words bring us back to the reality of our vulnerability.

An Invitation to Love

Perhaps most powerfully, “Joyas Voladoras” is an invitation to love deeply, to open our hearts despite the risks. It reminds us that our capacity for emotion, for connection, is what makes the human experience so rich and meaningful.

Brian Doyle’s “Joyas Voladoras” is a masterpiece of nature writing that transcends its genre. Through his exploration of hearts – from the rapid beat of a hummingbird’s to the slow, powerful pulse of a blue whale’s, to the complex emotional landscape of the human heart – Doyle creates a profound meditation on life, love, and our place in the natural world.

The essay’s power lies not just in its beautiful prose or fascinating facts, but in the way it connects the biological reality of the heart with its emotional symbolism. By the end of the essay, we see the heart – and by extension, all of life – with new eyes, filled with wonder and appreciation.

“Joyas Voladoras” reminds us of the preciousness of each moment, the miracle of each heartbeat. It encourages us to live fully, to love deeply, and to remain open to the wonders of the world around us. In doing so, it doesn’t just inform or entertain – it has the power to change how we see and interact with the world.

Related Articles

Analysis of Joyas Voladoras by Brian Doyle

• Q: What does “Joyas Voladoras” mean? A: “Joyas Voladoras” is Spanish for “flying jewels.” It’s a poetic way to describe hummingbirds, which are the focus of the beginning of the essay.
• Q: Who is Brian Doyle? A: Brian Doyle was an American essayist, novelist, and editor. He was known for his spiritual and nature-focused writing. Doyle passed away in 2017, leaving behind a rich legacy of literary works.
• Q: What is the main theme of “Joyas Voladoras”? A: While the essay touches on many themes, the central focus is on the wonder and fragility of life, as symbolized by the heart in various species.
• Q: Why does Doyle start with hummingbirds? A: Hummingbirds, with their tiny size and incredibly fast heartbeats, serve as a powerful symbol of the intensity and fragility of life. They provide a striking starting point for Doyle’s exploration of hearts and life.
• Q: How does Doyle connect hummingbirds to human experience? A: Doyle uses the hummingbird’s heart as a starting point to explore hearts in general, eventually leading to a discussion of the human heart – both as a physical organ and as a symbol of emotion and love.
• Q: What literary devices does Doyle use in this essay? A: Doyle employs various literary devices, including vivid imagery, metaphor, contrast, repetition, and personification.
• Q: Why does Doyle mention the blue whale? A: The blue whale, with its enormous heart, provides a striking contrast to the tiny hummingbird. This contrast helps to illustrate the incredible diversity of life and the universality of the heart as a vital organ.
• Q: What is the significance of the essay’s structure? A: The essay’s structure – moving from the small (hummingbird) to the large (whale) to the personal (human heart) – mirrors its thematic progression from the specific to the universal.
• Q: How does this essay relate to environmental concerns? A: While not explicitly about environmentalism, the essay’s celebration of the natural world and its emphasis on the fragility of life can inspire readers to think more deeply about environmental issues.
• Q: Can this essay be considered nature writing, philosophy, or something else? A: “Joyas Voladoras” defies easy categorization. It contains elements of nature writing, philosophy, and personal essay. This blending of genres is part of

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“Joyas Voladoras” by Brian Doyle. Summary and Symbolism Analysis Essay

Joyas voladoras essay: introduction, the symbolism of brian doyle’s hummingbird, joyas voladoras: the symbolism of the whale, joyas voladoras: summary.

The “Joyas Voladoras” essay by Brian Doyle speaks of hummingbirds and hearts, the life of whales, and the life of man. That’s a profound reflection on life, death, and the experiences in between. In other words, the essay examines the similarity of every creature on Earth. In this paper, I make an analysis of the piece of literature, describe its main ideas, identify the author’s purpose, and share my impressions about Joyas Voladoras.

When reading the essay, one cannot help but be immersed in the distinct imagery created by the writer. In Joyas Voladoras, Brian Doyle elaborates on the fierceness of life embodied in hummingbirds and creates a sharp image of a small beating heart for the reader, a heart producing billion heartbeats infinitesimally but strongly, faster even than our own.

He elaborates both scientifically and metaphorically. At the same time, he structures this particular piece of prose in such a way that people who read it should not concentrate on the scientific, for that is all that they will see. Instead, they should examine the essay in terms of the metaphoric.

After literary analysis it is clear that “Joyas Voladoras” is filled with metaphorical symbolism. Let’s take as an example the following phrase in one of the paragraphs: “the animals with the largest hearts in the world generally travel in pairs.” While scientific in appearance, it is a metaphor for love in which the essay states that people with love in their hearts are never alone.

Even references made by Doyle to the Hummingbird are another metaphoric symbolism of the abruptness of love and the value which we should place on it. Basing on the various metaphorical symbols seen throughout Joyas Voladoras, one can say that the text symbolizes different kinds of love in the world and the way they are experienced.

If one would pose a question of how to interpret the different animals portrayed in “Joyas Voladoras” essay as various aspects of love, then the Doyle’s Hummingbird could be symbolic of the concept of Eros or “erotic love.” This type of love is more commonly associated with the first stages of a relationship wherein love is based on physical traits, intense passion, and sudden affection. The intensity of the Hummingbird’s beating heart is symbolic of the passionate energy of love based on Eros.

The description of a “flying jewel” attributed to the Hummingbird is similar to how the love, based on Eros, is considered to be flashy and noticeable. Identical to a hummingbird love based on Eros alone does not last, it burns brightly just like the life of a hummingbird yet in a short time fizzles out.

Brian Doyle’s “Joyas Voladoras” has the purpose to state that this particular love is the worst kind to have since he symbolizes the people who are addicted to this type of love as experiencing emotional turmoil and heartache, as expressed by the heart of the Hummingbird slowing down when it comes to rest.

The line “if they do not soon find that which is sweet, their hearts grow cold, and they cease to be” is actually symbolic of the way in which people who prefer Eros love are actually addicted to the concept of loving and being loved forever moving from lover to lover, just like a hummingbird moves from flower to flower.

The symbolic nature of the Whale as a type of love for Doyle takes the form of Philos, namely a kind of love which is based on the friendship between two people. While the phrase “the animals with the largest hearts in the world generally travel in pairs” is indicative of Philos love, other aspects of this particular type of love are also apparent.

An analysis of the type of grammar used by Doyle in describing the Hummingbird and the Whale shows that, for the Hummingbird, Doyle uses action gerund words which utilize the word “and” rather than a comma.

The result of such grammatical usage is thus an almost breathless mannerism in which readers read the parts detailing the life of a hummingbird. This is symbolic of the breathless nature of erotic love wherein those who ascribe to it find themselves flitting from action to action without heed or care.

On the other hand, when describing the blue Whale, Doyle utilizes exceedingly long sentences and traditional words interspaced with commas, which have the effect of slowing down the reader. This is intentional on the part of the author since Philo’s type of love is a form of love that begins after a long and prosperous friendship.

It is a type of love that builds up over time, creating strong affection, emotions, and a feeling of longing to be with that person. The nature of the size of whale hearts is symbolic of the intense emotions and love that build up over time, resulting in a type of relationship where two people stay together for a lifetime.

What is the main idea of “Joyas Voladoras”? Based on what has been presented in this paper, it can be seen that one aspect of the essay “Joyas Voladoras” by Brian Doyle is that it uses symbolism to express the concepts of Eros and Philos. While the paper possess other forms of symbolism, these particular aspects were chosen since they help to relay the message of the author that there are different types of love out there, each having its unique characteristics.

In summary, it is due to viewing the essay in this particular way that the continuous use of the word “heart” can thus be interpreted as symbolic of people continuously searching for love with the author warning in the ending of the possible pain that comes with this search.

Doyle, B. (2012, June 12). Joyas Voladoras . The American Scholar. Web.

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• “Joyas Voladoras” by Brian Doyle: How to Achieve Life Goals Words: 1425

Analysis of “Joyas Voladoras” by Brian Doyle

These days, people predominantly lead a speedy lifestyle, they always hurry for coming in time to work or university, run for important meetings, and do their best to fulfill deadlines. The modern pace of life can be compared with a continuous rush without the finish point. Time management is the term, which is constantly heard everywhere – in blogs, articles, and self-developing books. People are less careful of others, their feelings, and ask for help, as they have no opportunities to be late for their meaningful errands. Passengers in the street do not notice the beauty of the architecture and some changes in the local areas and do not pay attention to nature, as they are deeply in thoughts about their plans and the methods of managing the time. In the article, «Joyas Voladoras» Brian Doyle addresses this hot-button issue and presents his reflections on the pace of life and love. This way, the purpose of the paper is to analyze the article «Joyas Voladoras», determine its message, lessons, and the extent, to which they get across.

Despite having a small size, the essay contains profound meaning, which can hardly be understood after reading for the first time. It is worth starting with an explanation of the title of the article. “Joyas Voladoras” is a metaphor, this phrase means “flying jewel”, namely hummingbird (Doyle). This name was created by the first white explorers in America, and Brian Doyle highlights that the New World appears to be the only habitat of hummingbirds. In the article, the writer attempts to transmit his ideas by drawing an analogy with animals, their physical characteristics, and their behavior. “The main characters” of this story are a skillful hummingbird with brief life, a slow tortoise, which lives up to 200 years, and a giant blue whale with the biggest heart in the world. Comparing these animals and their lifestyles, Brian Doyle supplies his considerations on life, its pace, and love.

The author starts his narrative by describing this creature and making the readers admire it. Although it is tiny, and its heart is compared with a “pencil eraser”, the abilities of the little creature are surprising. Hummingbirds can visit more than a thousand flowers a day, dive at sixty miles per hour, fly backwards, and travel for a long time without rest. This list is impressive; however, the bird is very close to death while resting. During cold nights they are highly likely to starve, during periods of hunger, they may die unless they find something sweet. Moreover, such high activity takes a significant amount of energy. The author marks: “the price of their ambition is a life closer to death; they suffer more heart attacks and aneurysms and ruptures than any other living creature” (Doyle). This way, the life endurance of hummingbirds is only two years. Brian Doyle outlines that every organism on the earth has a limit for heartbeats, which consists of two billion times, and the little bird spends her limit exceptionally rapidly due to its multiple abilities.

By contrast with hummingbirds, tortoises are slow, and their activity is not varied. Therefore, they spend their two billion heartbeats significantly longer than the aforementioned creature, and their life span may reach two hundred years old. The writer notices: “It’s expensive to fly. You burn out. You fry the machine. You melt the engine” (Doyle). Comparing a small but rapid and skillful bird with a slow tortoise, the author draws attention to the two options of the pace of life. The first is full of action, travels, and adventures, but very short. It reminds me of the modern lifestyle, which people stick to predominantly. The second approach is off-speed, peaceful, calm, and much longer than the previous one. Brian Doyle does not insist on a particular solution or approach, he encourages readers to reflect on this topic, match their dreams and current activity, and make their own conscious decision.

Another message of the essay regards love, and the author draws an analogy with the natural world, too, to introduce this topic. The writer presents information on the structure of the hearts of different animals, for instance, mammals and birds have four chambers hearts. Highlighting that people hold a lot of feelings and concerns in this organ during life, Brian Doyle describes blue whales as the most giant animals in the world with the biggest heart. He poetically compares it with a room: “It’s as big as a room. It is a room, with four chambers. A child could walk around it, head high, bending only to step through the valves” (Doyle). Being the largest animals in the natural world, blue whales are the ones, which appear to be one of the less explored ones. People have obtained relatively little information about their ways of communication, mating and eating habits, and travel patterns. However, the fact that blue whales with the biggest hearts always travel in pairs and their moaning cries can be heard for miles underwater is precise.

This way, these two primary messages of the article logically transmit the lessons, which the author wants the readers to teach. The first presents a point that every single second of life is meaningful, and every moment and happening should be taken advantage. To introduce the second lesson, he mentions another metaphor and compares the heart to the house, in which a person lives alone. The person lets the new acquaintances in his or her life by opening the windows. Therefore, people can choose who they are willing to share their emotions and experience with, but the majority prefer to live alone due to their “constantly harrowed heart” (Doyle). During growing up, the hearts are “bruised and scarred, scored and torn, repaired by time and will, patched by force of character, yet fragile and rickety forevermore” and then repaired (Doyle). However, there are still unforgettable and touching happening, which make opening the windows of the heard worth doing.

In conclusion, despite the simplicity and briefness of the essay, its sense should not be underestimated. The author manages to impress, intrigue, touch the bottom of the heart, and provide readers with deep insights into each person’s most vital aspects, which are their life and love. The messages and lessons of the article are very close and vital and inspire us to reconsider habits, lifestyles, and values. The writer highlights the hazard of the rapid pace of life, which is common nowadays. People do not manage to enjoy each second, remember the pleasant moments and pay attention to the wonderful events, which they are surrounded. Moreover, Brian Doyle gently encourages the reader not to be afraid of opening their hearts and souls to new people and acquaintances. These aspects make life adventurous, enjoyable, and full of unforgettable experiences.

Doyle, B. “Joyas Voladoras.” The American Scholar, 2012, Web.

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Doyle starts off by introducing the hummingbird and how small and fragile they are. When Doyle is explaining how risky it is for a hummingbird to rest and fly he states, “The price of their ambition is a life closer to death…” (Doyle). The hummingbird is always at risk of dying, they constantly fly to warm their infinitesimal hearts or they grow cold and cease to be. Doyle compares the hummingbird as an engine and how they can burn out, it is costly for them to fly, but they continue to; fast and strong. Their ambition to continue to fly and find food is strong, they fly fast to live, and the fact that they fly so fast is the reason why their hearts are so strong. Although the hummingbird has a small, fragile heart, their motivation to live and fly is strong.

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The mood for Joyas Voladores while living is the subject is very upbeat and elated. Brian Doyle uses hummingbirds as his subject. They represent living and dying in Doyle’s essay. “More than three hundred species of them whirring and zooming and nectaring,” is a line from the essay. It is significant because it includes words that presume life. Words like “zooming” and “whirring” are examples of that. Having the author talk to the reader is a clever thing. It makes the reader really think about what the author is saying or trying to say. Due to Brian Doyle talking to the readers, they are more likely to feel the liveliness of his words and maybe even have that feeling in themselves.

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Doyle uses the hummingbirds to show that when people put their hearts and minds to the hardest of things, the hardest tasks soon become easier. Doyle describes how it is to live as a hummingbird. He says that they can do amazing feats, like fly backwards and dive at sixty miles an hour, but if it is a frigid night and they stop moving they soon grow cold. Doyle says, “they can fly more than five hundred miles without pausing to rest” (Doyle). He is saying that this can happen to people as well.

There are many moments in Doyle’s essay where it seemed as if he was just giving facts about hummingbirds and hearts. But in fact Doyle had a much bigger role for these facts to fill later on in his essay. He states that “Every creature on earth has approximately two billion heartbeats to spend in a lifetime.” (Doyle 148) He beings to talk about the different kinds of hearts, those with four chambers, three chambers, all the way to insects, mollusks, and worms all have one chambered hearts. Doyle is not giving us this information just so we can be more informed about hummingbird’s heart’s. He wants us to understand more about how they function, and how necessary they are. This is important to know because it makes readers reflect on the introduction of to “Joyas Voladoras”, where we learn that “having a son, Liam, who was born with three rather than four chambers in his heart” (Doyle 146) In his last paragraph Doyle starts to humanize the facts that we were given throughout the essay. This helps readers understand what Doyle is going through with his son’s medical

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Brian Doyle's Joyas Voladoras first appeared in The American Scholar in 2004 and was later selected for Best American Essays in 2005. Doyle’s intended audience is the general population, though his writing style attracts both the logical reader and the hopeless romantics who seek metaphors pointing to love in any way. The beginning of the essay provides insight to general information about the hummingbird, which holds the smallest, capable, and fragile heart in the world. He then explains the significance of the blue whale’s heart with comparisons, indicating that the blue whale holds a heart the size of a room. He ends his essay by expressing that a human’s heart is always closed due to the fear of it breaking, remaining constantly

Rhetorical Analysis Of Why Literature, By Mario Vargas Llosa

“Do not focus too much on the branch or the leaf, lest you forget that they are part of a tree, or too much on the tree, lest you forget that it is part of a forest”. (Llosa II). Just what does the author mean by this quote? What is he referring to when he says this? Does wants the reader to see the bigger picture rather than focus on themselves or the world they live in right now or to think about the future, present, and past generations and see the big picture of life and what it can offer?

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