# Wings explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Fyodor Sologub.

## What happens

A peasant girl weeps because she has no wings and wishes to fly. The farmer's daughter, then a merchant's daughter, a young lady of the Court, and a princess each try to grow wings, believing only their own class is worthy. The Fairy of the Wings gives wings only to the peasant girl who first desired them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Inequality

Each character believes only those of higher social rank can grow wings, highlighting class-based entitlement and exclusion.

### Illusion vs. Reality

The characters' belief that wings can be grown through status or ritual is an illusion; only the peasant girl's genuine desire is rewarded.

## Character check-ins

### The Beast

The Fairy of the Wings appears as a supernatural figure who decides who gets wings.

## Key lines

> I want to fly up into the sky and sing my little songs there

The peasant girl longs to escape her earthly life and express herself freely in the sky.

_This desire for transcendence contrasts with the material concerns of the other characters._

> If I give you all wings and let you all go flying in the sky, who will want to stay at home to cook the porridge and look after the children?

The Fairy of the Wings questions the practicality of granting everyone's wish, implying that societal roles must be maintained.

_This highlights the tension between individual dreams and social responsibilities._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/wings
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_20_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters