The structure of the story can give you some hints about
the meaning it tries to generate. If you read closely, you will notice that the text is
a look back at a pivotal event. While the event itself can be read in different ways,
the fact that the narrator centers the story around the geese hunt that occurred
twenty-five years ago, is telling.
One way to read the
story is around the theme of intimacy and human relations. Remember for instance
that Les's father has died and thus indirectly deserted him. Glen leaves Aileen, and the
geese leave the wounded goose behind to die alone, and finally as you have pointed out,
Les and his mother Aileen lost contact ad haven't talked for years. The story repeatedly
points to the fragility of human relationships. Animals do not fare any better in the
story, since snow-geese are migratory birds that mate for life. Yet, the flock leaves
one of their own. While I am always hesitant to firmly lock down a certain
interpretation, you are right to say that the piece does generate
meaning: Love, intimacy and the connections to others are an illusion and a
fleeting phenomenon. You can also take a look at the author profile, which is quite good
to help you decide what you see in the story.
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