In Barbara Kingsolver’s novel Flight Behavior, the character of Cub plays a role in developing the book’s perspectives on marriage and nature.

Dellarobia married Cub when she was just seventeen years old because she was pregnant. The couple does not have much in common and they have an unhappy marriage. Recall how trapped Dellarobia feels at the beginning of the book and how as she develops as a character she realizes that Cub is holding her back in life. Cub adheres to traditional gender expectations for men in which he provides for the household and Dellarobia is expected to maintain the household. The dynamics of their relationship shows how stereotypical gender roles can stifle a marriage.

Cub’s character development also helps Kingsolver explore the themes of nature and the politics of global warming. Cub’s father Bear is the man who intends to clear the mountain of trees for economic development. In many ways, Cub is a lot like his father, particularly in terms of his expectations in his marriage. Their relationship shows how social ideologies and expectations are passed down through generations. But Cub helps Bear change his mind, which suggests that there is hope for future generations to not carry on the actions of older generations that hurt the planet.