What is Meggie's "thorn" in the book, The Thorn Birds?

Question

I have trouble deciphering which is Meggie's thorn, Drogheda or the Love of Ralph

Answer 1

She is like a thornbird in that she builds on a frequently lethal base.

Her "thorn" is her misguided love.

Answer 2

Duh! She's *in love with a PRIEST*!

Answer 3

The title refers to a mythical bird that searches for thorn trees from the day it is hatched. When it finds the perfect thorn, it impales itself and dies while singing the most beautiful song ever heard.

Meggie's thorn is the same as Ralph's -- forbidden love.

Answer 4

Read the book ages ago (and enjoyed it) so I don't remember the exact names of the characters, but depending on how you view Meggie, the "thorn" could be

* the priest's ambition to become Pope

* the Vatican the embodies that ambition

* God, as the priest's 'other love'

hope this helps