The Hawk Is Dying

George Gattling, an auto upholsterer from Gainesville, Florida, finds himself feeling alienated both in the world and within his own skin. Seeking an escape from his humdrum existence, he embarks on a journey to train a wild red-tailed hawk. As the owner of University Custom Auto Shop, he bears the weight of being the discontented head of his family, which includes his divorced sister, Precious, and her 20-year-old autistic son, Fred. Unbeknownst to him, he also serves as an unwitting subject in the life study of young psychology student Betty, who works at the auto shop.

George harbors a profound aspiration to capture and train hawks, a time-honored practice that demands not just skill but also extreme personal sacrifice. This shared enthusiasm for bird training bonds him with Fred, providing a unique escape from the monotony of life. The tranquil moments spent tracking these majestic creatures in the pre-dawn hours allow George to momentarily detach from the absurdity of modern civilization.

After years filled with disappointment, George, alongside his nephew Fred, finally succeeds in capturing a breathtaking red-tailed hawk. However, tragedy strikes when Fred dies unexpectedly during the night, drowning in his water bed, leaving George heartbroken. In his devastation, George becomes convinced that his survival is intricately linked to the hawk he has captured. Surgeoning with determination, he resolves to tame her—committing to a period of absolute deprivation, wherein neither he nor the bird will eat or sleep until they succeed. As he plunges deeper into this struggle, he finds himself engaged in a tense showdown with a creature that would rather die than submit.

To those around him, George’s relentless pursuit appears increasingly irrational; his family begins to worry about his sanity as he inches closer to his goal. Only Betty recognizes the profound necessity for George to confront his inner turmoil, understanding that this journey to the brink is essential for his salvation. She observes as George enters a realm where senses are heightened and emotions run raw—a realm where one can truly perceive the “blood of things.”

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 02:22