The sanctuary in Bird Box is safe because it is remote, well-stocked, and secured against the creatures that cause people to commit suicide if seen. The sanctuary provides a haven for Malorie, Girl, and Boy to escape the deadly epidemic sweeping the world.
What is the sanctuary in Bird Box?
The sanctuary in Bird Box is a secluded house located deep in the woods by a river. It is occupied by a small group of survivors led by Charlie. They have boarded up the windows, set up a generator for electricity, and stockpiled plenty of food and supplies. The sanctuary is completely sealed off from the outside world, making it a safe place to avoid seeing the creatures.
Where is the sanctuary located?
The exact location of the sanctuary is unclear, but it seems to be situated deep in a forest far from any major cities. Malorie travels for days down the river in a boat before reaching the sanctuary. Its remote location helps keep the sanctuary protected from the suicide epidemic.
Who lives at the sanctuary?
The sanctuary is home to roughly a dozen survivors led by Charlie. Other inhabitants include Greg, Cheryl, Olympia, and Tom. They have turned the home into a well-stocked fortress and base of operations for occasional supply runs.
Why is the sanctuary safe?
There are several key reasons why the sanctuary is safe in Bird Box:
Remote location
The sanctuary is in a very remote location, far from populated areas. This isolation protects the inhabitants from encountering the deadly creatures or infected people.
Fortified structure
The sanctuary home is heavily fortified. All the windows are boarded up to prevent accidental viewing of the outside. Doors and entrances are secured. This fortification prevents the creatures from getting inside.
Fully stocked supplies
The sanctuary has electricity via a generator, plenty of food and water, medical supplies, and everything needed to survive for an extended time. The inhabitants do not need to venture outside and risk exposure.
Lookouts on duty
Whenever someone does go outside, there are others on lookout duty. They help guide their friends safely back inside, preventing accidental viewing of the creatures.
Rules for going outside
The sanctuary inhabitants have strict rules and procedures for going outside. This includes wearing blindfolds, using the “bird box” viewing devices, staying quiet, and using ropes to navigate safely back. These rules minimize risk.
What provisions and supplies does the sanctuary have?
The sanctuary has extensive provisions and supplies, including:
- Non-perishable food like canned goods, rice, beans, etc.
- A generator providing electricity.
- Medical supplies like bandages, medicine, etc.
- Weapons and ammunition.
- Beds, blankets, and other household necessities.
- Fuel for boats and vehicles.
- Seeds and gardening tools to grow fresh food.
- Fishing poles and nets.
- Rainwater collection system.
Having these supplies and provisions means the sanctuary has everything its inhabitants might need to survive for a long time without going outside.
What rules do they follow at the sanctuary for safety?
The sanctuary inhabitants follow strict rules to remain safe, including:
Always wear blindfolds outside
Everyone wears blindfolds or other eye coverings when outside to avoid seeing the creatures accidentally.
Use the “bird box” when outside
This is a box with one side open that allows limited vision downwards but prevents looking at the creatures.
Have a partner as a lookout
Someone serves as a lookout when a person goes outside, guiding them back to safety with ropes and warnings.
Stay quiet outdoors
Noise seems to attract the creatures, so people stay quiet outside.
Obey entrance and exit procedures
Strict procedures control how people enter and exit the sanctuary, preventing accidents.
Immediately isolate anyone showing symptoms
They quarantine anyone acting suicidal in case they viewed the creatures, to protect others.
How do Malorie and the children safely arrive at the sanctuary?
Malorie and the children safely reach the sanctuary by:
- Traveling down the river blindfolded for days.
- Malorie following the sanctuary inhabitants’ calls to guide them.
- The sanctuary group bringing them inside while still blindfolded.
- Undergoing isolation and questioning before allowed to fully enter.
The remote location, Malorie’s blindfolding of the children, and the sanctuary inhabitants’ care allow them to arrive safely.
Could the sanctuary protocol work in other places?
The safety protocols used at the sanctuary could theoretically work elsewhere, but there are some limitations:
Pros:
- Blindfolding and supervised outside excursions are effective.
- Fortifying buildings can create safe zones.
- Isolating new arrivals screens for infection risks.
Cons:
- Requires substantial resources and preparation.
- Difficult to implement in dense urban areas.
- Not everyone would willingly follow the strict rules.
So while the sanctuary model could work, it would be extremely difficult to implement effectively across larger populations.
How long can the sanctuary remain safe from the creatures?
Scenario | Estimated Safe Duration |
---|---|
No new arrivals or exposures | 1-2 years given current supplies |
Occasional new arrivals | 6-12 months |
Frequent new arrivals | 2-4 months |
Major protocol breach | 1-4 weeks depending on damage |
As shown in the table above, the sanctuary could remain safe for several months to a couple years if protocols are followed. But frequent new arrivals or major breaches would shorten this duration significantly. Maintaining safety would become increasingly difficult over time.
Conclusion
The sanctuary in Bird Box manages to remain safe through its remote location, fortified and provisioned buildings, strict safety protocols when going outside, and isolation of new arrivals. These measures allow Malorie and the children to find refuge from the deadly creatures sweeping the world. However, even the sanctuary would struggle to maintain safety indefinitely once its supplies ran low or if protocols broke down. While it provides hope to the characters, their long-term future would remain threatened without an end to the broader creature epidemic outside.