Hummingbird

Fragility is a motif in Hummingbird that pushes Olive to seek stronger bones—however, through developing characters like Hatch, Natalie Lloyd suggests fragility is more than just physical vulnerability. The novel’s exploration of this topic posits that resilience can be both physical and emotional, and that, ultimately, fragility allows for strength. Proving she’s more than her osteogenesis imperfecta (OI or “brittle bone disease”) motivates Olive. Chapter 1 establishes fragility as a source of conflict when a churchgoer calls her as “fragile as a falling star” (10). Olive resents that others perceive her this way, wishing to be seen for her “whole constellation of wonder and weirdness and hope” (11). This reflection highlights her emotional resilience in contrast to her physical fragility: Despite others’ perceptions, she maintains a strong belief in herself. However, being “fragile” seems inescapable: At Macklemore Middle School, others avoid Olive because they have been told she is fragile, and it causes adults like Mrs. Matheson to exclude her. This pushes her to wish she was different for the first time—to pursue the hummingbird’s wish.

Lloyd uses characters like Hatch to balance Olive’s physical fragility with hidden fragility. Although Olive initially assumes her stepbrother is a “perfect” student, his body language and habits suggest he’s hiding a deeper insecurity: “The sleeves of Hatch’s blue hoodie are frayed because he’s constantly rubbing the edges […] But what if he doesn’t just do that out of habit? What if he’s nervous about something? Or anxious about something?” (237).