In Anaïs Nin's "Little Birds," a character named Fay experiences a surge of anger while listening to Albert, who repeatedly tells her she has the body of an angel. He implies that her angelic physique transcends the notion of gender, which frustrates Fay. She is caught in a battle between his romanticized view of her and her own identity as a woman. The phrase "You have the body of an angel" becomes a source of conflict for her, as it dismisses her desire for genuine love and connection.

Ultimately, Fay asserts her femininity and need for emotional intimacy, rejecting the idealization that Albert places upon her. She insists she is not merely an ethereal figure but a complex individual who yearns to be loved in a realistic, human way. This moment highlights the tension between fantasy and reality in their relationship, illustrating the struggle for recognition and affirmation of her identity as a woman with desires beyond mere physicality.