The passage describes a predatory bird characterized by its sharp beak and fierce talons, using it as a metaphor for an intense, possibly painful experience. The bird represents a paradox where being ensnared by it causes suffering, yet the intensity of that suffering can be mistaken for pleasure or ecstasy. This duality reflects a complex emotional state where agony and delight intertwine.
In the book "The Accursed" by Joyce Carol Oates,...