# The Wooden Parrot explained — Death Comes for the Archbishop

> Chapter companion for Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather.

## What happens

Bishop Latour, after his first year in Santa Fe, sets out to visit the western Indian missions. He stops in Albuquerque to assess the scandalous conduct of Padre Gallegos, then rides to Isleta where he meets the simple, blind old priest Father Jesus de Baca. There he discovers a wooden parrot, an ancient artifact that reveals the historical and spiritual significance of parrots to the Pueblo Indians.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cultural Clash and Harmony

Latour confronts the worldly, scandalous practices of Padre Gallegos, contrasting with the simple, devout faith of Father Jesus de Baca and the deep indigenous traditions surrounding the wooden parrot.

### Art and Beauty

The wooden parrot is described as a simple yet lifelike carving, an ancient artifact that embodies the artistic and spiritual heritage of the Pueblo people.

### Tradition vs. Change

Latour's mission to reform the diocese clashes with entrenched local customs, such as Gallegos's laxity and the Pueblo Indians' ancient reverence for parrot feathers.

## Character check-ins

### Bishop Jean Marie Latour

Visits Albuquerque and Isleta, observes Padre Gallegos's misconduct, and learns about the wooden parrot from Father Jesus.

### Padre Gallegos

The genial but scandalous priest of Albuquerque who dances, gambles, and keeps a rich widow; Latour plans to suspend him.

### Father Joseph Vaillant

Mentioned as having advised Latour to visit Isleta and as having examined Gallegos's case with the Bishop.

### Jacinto

A young Indian from Pecos who serves as Latour's guide on the journey to the missions.

### Jesus de Baca

The old, nearly blind priest of Isleta who raises parrots and treasures the ancient wooden parrot.

## Key lines

> Yet, he reflected, there was something very engaging about Gallegos as a man. As a priest, he was impossible; he was too self-satisfied and popular ever to change his ways, and he certainly could not change his face.

Latour found Gallegos personally charming but judged him unfit for the priesthood due to his complacency and unchangeable habits.

_Highlights Latour's conflicted assessment of Gallegos's character._

> That, your Grace, is probably the oldest thing in the pueblo—older than the pueblo itself.

Father Jesus tells Latour that the wooden parrot is an ancient relic, predating even the pueblo's founding.

_Emphasizes the artifact's deep historical and cultural significance._

> The parrot, Father Jesus said, had always been the bird of wonder and desire to the pueblo Indians. In ancient times its feathers were more valued than wampum and turquoises.

Father Jesus explains that parrots were highly prized by the Pueblo Indians, with feathers considered more precious than traditional valuables.

_Illustrates the indigenous reverence for parrots and their feathers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/i-the-wooden-parrot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters