Exploring Ecofeminism in “A White Heron” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary defines ecofeminism as "a movement or theory that applies feminist principles and ideas to ecological issues.” (Ecofeminism) Ecofeminism is often used in American Nature writing to connect the oppression of women to the oppression of animals. “Ecofeminists recognize that a self-other ideology undergirds various oppressions, and therefore, the systemic forces that oppress women also subjugate animals and nature.” (Judy, 2020, p. 14) “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett uses Western concepts of gender roles and romance to explore the value in the lives of animals. The piece follows a secluded nine-year-old girl named Sylvia, who lives with her grandmother, navigating a difficult …show more content…
The story progresses to Sylvia’s grandma allowing the young man to stay the night. At dinner, we learn that Sylvia has a unique relationship with birds, and the young man is an ornithologist looking for a variety of rare birds, including the white heron. The young man’s hunt for the white heron symbolizes the “masculine” urge to conquer nature, while the “feminine” urge is shown through Sylvia’s instinct to protect the bird. From here, the man attempts to get any information out of Sylvia, going as far as trying to bribe her. Jewett writes, "Sylvia would have liked him vastly better without his gun.” Sylvia’s distaste for his gun resembles the familiar trope of women being more uncomfortable with weapons as they often do not like the thought of unnecessary violence. At the same time, men tend to find comfort in bearing arms. Throughout the grandmother's experience with the ornithologist, she treats him with utmost hospitality and kindness. From the language used to describe their interactions, the grandma fell victim to his charm and charisma. While the young girl was apprehensive of the man, her grandma let her guard down almost
Sarah Orne Jewett was an inspiring, unique author of her time. Her upbringing introduced her to the outdoors and allowed her to develop a passion for nature and being an independent woman. One of her short stories, A White Heron, incorporates these passions of hers but also reflects on her childhood. This story also illustrates the pressures a person can face when faced with new relationships. Sarah Orne Jewett takes her personal life experiences and beliefs to influence the main character, Sylvia
In the short story, “A White Heron”, by Sarah Orne Jewett, there is a character that is being introduced named Sylvia, who lives on a farm with her grandmother. Even though she just moved from the city, she enjoys the farm life way more than the city life. Sylvia hears a whistle as she walks her cow back home. She noticed it was the stranger, also known as the hunter. He was carrying a gun, hoping to find a rare bird to kill known as the white heron. He asks Sylvia if she can help him find the bird
When people really take their time to look at the beautiful world around them, and take it in, it is hard not to be amazed. “A White Heron,” a classic short story written by Sarah Orne Jewett, uses nature as an essential key element to the theme. Sylvia, the main character, is very relatable. In fact, the story is written in such a way that the reader would likely share similar thoughts with Sylvia. For instance, the reader and Sylvia both love nature and think of it as their companion. However,
"Experience, which destroys innocence, also leads one back to it" (Baldwin). All experiences spring out of innocence. Sarah Orne Jewett expresses this through the story “The White Heron.” She uses the story to show how easily innocence can be influenced. "For Jewett, it seems to have been a personal 'myth' that expressed her own experience and the experience of other women in the nineteenth century who had similar gifts, aspirations, and choices" (Griffith). Her personal experiences include her living
“A White Heron,” Sarah Orne Jewett is able to dive into the sexuality of her main character Sylvia. Though seemingly innocent on the surface, the reader might interpret the hunt for the elusive white heron as Sylvia’s discovery of herself and her sexuality. Though sexuality may seem like a mature topic for such a young character, it is irresponsible to completely ignore it. Especially in a story with innuendos that rival a romance novel. Jewett uses sexual undertones in the search for a white heron
In A White Heron , the author, Sarah Orne Jewett, describes a young girl who interacts with a number of elements that cause her to discover who she is and what she stands for. Sylvia, being only nine years old and coming from a large family from the demanding city life , is moved to her grandmother’s remote farm where she finds herself to be comfortably isolated from the rest of the world. This, in fact, suits her lack of social ability, and so she finds herself becoming one with nature: both the
“The White Heron” is a classic short story written by Sarah Orne Jewett. In this short story, nature is an essential key element to theme. The reader can also relate in many ways to the main character, Sylvia. Sylvia and the reader have many similar thoughts. For instance, one way they can relate is how they both love nature and think of it as their companion. However, while they have a love for humans, it is to a lesser extent. The author, Sarah Orne Jewett, was born on September 3, 1849 and died
The Rural Privilege in A White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett Sarah Orne Jewett's "A White Heron" is a brilliant story of an inquisitive young girl named Sylvia. Jewett's narrative describes Sylvia's experiences within the mystical and inviting woods of New England. I think a central theme in "A White Heron" is the dramatization of the clash between two competing sets of values in late nineteenth-century America: industrial and rural. Sylvia is the main character of the story. We can follow her
desires in order to adapt with society that surrounds us. Those rules are more often found in urban cities than villages where nature has more power. This presents an era called Transcendentalism, which is easily found in the story of a White Heron written by Sarah Orne Jewett. The story highlights the power of nature over human society. This little expedition starts on an evening of June, with a young innocent pale girl named Sylvia. Sylvia used to live in a crowded manufacturing town, but after eight
Sarah Orne Jewett’s short story "A White Heron” is a beautiful realistic narration set in Maine, at the end of the nineteenth century. A young girl, Sylvia, is the heroine in a quest journey. As in traditional stories in literature, she follows what Dan Bronzite reports as "The Twelve Stages of the Hero's Journey". She will leave what had become her usual world to enter an extraordinary one full of wonders but also scary, to wind up again in her ordinary world but as a changed person. Sylvia’s voyage
Sarah Orne Jewett began writing at an early age as she was inspired by, The Pearl of Orr’s Island written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Jewett began writing in the style of the author of her inspiration and thus fell in love with the style of writing that encapsulated nearly every author of her time, local color writing. Local color writing is a style of writing that became popular just after the Civil War. Many writers began writing with a focus on the way of life and nature in their direct surrounding
basis for Sarah Orne Jewett’s short story in which a young girl understands the bond that exists between her and nature. Sarah Orne Jewett lived a short life from 1849-1909 and is most remembered for the short story a “A White Heron.” She created heroes of every shape and size who help themselves and others, and as Shackford said, “All of her stories are loosely woven narratives.” One of her best narratives “A White Heron” tells the story of a nine year old girl Sylvia who saves a heron from certain
Critical Analysis of Sarah Orne Jewett's Short Story "A White Heron" Set in an isolated portion of Maine, Sarah Orne Jewett's short story "A White Heron" revolves around conflict, a difficult choice a nine-year-old must make which will lead to her losing a new friend. It is the story of a lonely nine-year-old girl name Sylvia who lives in the Maine woods with her grandmother, Mrs. Tilley. As the story progresses Sylvia met a young and appealing ornithologist, often named as "The Hunter", who is in
prominent feature in history. As a result, much of the environment was destroyed to make room for factories and the growth of population. Nature is an important part of human life; helping to make peace with yourself and define your morals. Sarah Orne Jewett, born in 1849, chose nature over man by deciding to not get married, and instead living with her friend and enjoying her surroundings. Growing up around people that worked in
Sarah Orne Jewett and Jack London were both influential writers who came to light during the Realism and Naturalism movements in literature. While they shared a deep commitment to highlighting the true realities of life, their views of nature differed significantly. Jewett elected to explore the fragility and kindness of nature, whereas, London worked to demonstrate the fierceness and destruction that nature brings upon man. There are many reasons that explain the inspiration behind Jewett and London’s