M.A.
Programme (Philosophy)
Semester-I
Book Review-II
*** Title of the book ***
JONATHAN LIVINGSTONE SEAGULL
*** Author of the Book ***
RICHARD BACH
**Presented By**
Vaidya Ronak
Department of Philosophy
School of Psychology, Education & Philosophy
Gujarat University
Ahmedabad-380009
INDEX
Part I: Jonathan defies his parents and spends all his time practicing flying.
Part II: Jonathan reaches a higher plane of existence.
Part III: Jonathan returns to his flock to teach them what he has learned
Introduction
Jonathan Livingstone Seagull is a contemporary fairytale that relies on modern time themes. Unlike the traditional
fairytales where you have mythical creatures here you have fictional creatures.
Its not only a modern fairytale but also an allegorical story because the whole plot points out to something more that
the story appears to be telling. Because of that, we could say that we have a combination of an allegorical story and a
modern fairytale. This book is a song for spirits who have lived so long and so quietly by themselves. Jonathan
Seagull is a story for one who knows that somewhere theres a higher way of living than scuffing the tracks of others,
someone who yearns to fly the way their own heart yearns to fly.
By writing a story about a seagull that was never satisfied with something average but always wanted to accomplish
something more Richard Bach actually wrote about human life and the way a single person functions inside a
community.
Summary
Jonathan Livingstone Seagull could never fit in with the other seagulls. His primary goal wasnt to fly every day in
search of fishermen leftovers. He was a rebellious seagull not interested in rules. He wanted to reach the biggest
speed and fly as fast as possible. He pushed his limits every day but practicing complicated twists and turns. He
separated himself from the flock and became a loner.
His parents begged him to join the flock again and try to live with the other seagulls. He wanted to please them but he
did not feel happy with that kind of life. He was not interested in the flock and hanging out with the seagulls. Whatever
he did, he always came back to himself.
He was never satisfied with himself and always wanted to improve his flying so he practiced every day. Soon he
broke the world record and flew 165 km/h. Then he collapsed and fell into the sea.
While he was floating sadly he heard a voice inside that told him he had limits in life and that he has to accept them.
He decided to go back to the flock then. It was nighttime and he heard the voice again saying that seagulls cant fly at
night because they do not have short wings or sharp eyesight as the eagles. He did not pay attention to the voice and
just kept on flying.
Suddenly something dawned on him. He thought that he should bend his wings a little bit and fly with the tips of his
wings. Not thinking about the danger he went 600 meters up and reached the speed of 260 km/h. He forgot about his
promises to be a normal seagull and decided to keep on practicing every day. Soon he reached the speed of 396
km/h. Not a single seagull in history could fly that fast.
He was proud of himself and his success so he couldnt wait to share it with the other seagulls. But he was surprised
when nobody was happy for him. Not only that but also the elderly called him out for disgracing his flock. He expelled
him from the flock and ordered him to live on the rocks that were far away. Even though he tried to explain them the
new meaning of life, nobody listened to him.
He lived a lonely life far away from everyone but he felt good. His life made sense and he was able to feed himself
and take care of himself. He lived a long life.
One night he saw two seagulls. He saw that they were flying fast. They took them from the earth to the sky. He
practiced flying with the seagulls that shared his opinion but he noticed that there were a few of them. His instructor
Sullivan told his that the reason for that was that this was only one part of life and that every seagull changes
depending on what they learn and Jonathan learned everything.
The Elderly thought him how to fly properly and soon he could fly even faster. With the power of thoughts, Jonathan
went back to Earth. He was thinking about his previous flock and wanted to teach them everything he had learned
and wanted to show them how to be free. Jonathan went back to the rocks and there he met Fletcher Lynd. He was
another seagull that was kicked out of the flock for the same reason Jonathan was. More seagulls joined them and
they were practicing their flying together.
After months of hard work, they decided to show everyone what they know. Even though everyone turned their back
on them soon seagulls started gathering around them. More and more seagulls wanted to learn how to fly.
Fletcher became the main instructor and Jonathan went to teach another flock. Fletcher remained in the hope of
seeing Jonathan again.
Interpretation & Conclusion :
Of course, the story is about people, not birds. It teaches men and women about the meaning of life, that we are put
on earth to strive and to reach for perfection in whatever we choose to do. Flight is a symbol of any human activity
that enlarges the personality. Eating is a symbol of activities which only gratify the senses. Such activities maintain
the status quo and they obtain us from obtaining perfection. Bach writes, "Most gulls don't bother to learn more than
the simplest facts of flight -- how to get from shore to food and back again. For most gulls, it is not flying that is
important, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that is important, but flight." We learn from Jonathan the
price which must be paid for excellence. Excellence requires leaving the flock, being alone, and practising. And the
practice requires "fierce concentration."
In the Heaven are seagulls who all love to fly, they love freedom. They are all casted out of their flock, too, but they
have the ability to make their dreams true. This is the stage which everyone on earth should reach. Richard Bach
once said: Here is the test whether your mission on earth is finished: If youre alive, it isnt.
Its a reminder, this little fable, that the path for us to follow is already written within, that it's for each of us to find our
own loves, and live them brightly for ourselves. Others may watch, they may admire our resolution or despise it, but
our one freedom is for us to love and to choose every day of our lives, as we wish.
