"The White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett: Nature

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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, while both Sylvia and the reader have a love for humans, it is to a lesser extent. The author, who was born on September 3, 1849 and died June 24, 1909, grew up around Berwick, Maine. This is the setting of many of her short stories along with the New England wilderness. In "A White Heron," the main character is a girl named Sylvia. She is also the protagonist of the story. There is also another character that is very important. He is the hunter, who is the antagonist of the story. Throughout the entire story, Sylvia is battling to keep the hunter from finding and killing the white heron for his bird collection. Throughout this short story, there is the very important theme of mortal versus nature. In “A White Heron,” Sylvia’s previous experience with the white heron leads to her decision flesh versus spirit. Before the short story begins, the reader can imply that Sylvia created a connection with the white heron. Therefore, in the novel, Sylvia made the decision of stopping the hunter from finding and killing the white heron. Sarah Orne Jewett develops her theme of mortal versus nature in her short story through the use of characterization imagery, and symbolism.
One of the ways Jewett exhibits the theme of mortal versus nature is...

... middle of paper ...

...ted nature back. One of the biggest ways she did this was from saving the white heron from being killed. The way Sylvia respects nature is the way all people should respect the natural world. It is tremendously important to not burn bridges and ruin relationships. Overall, always help those who help you.

Works Cited

Gardner, Judy. "Literature." Library Journal 15 May 1982: 997. EBSCOhost. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. .
Jewett, Sarah Orne. "A White Heron." Jewett Texts. N.p., 1997. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. .
"Jewett, Sarah Orne." Britannica Biographies. N.p.: Encylopedia Britannica, 2012. N. pag. EBSCOhost. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. .
"Themes and Construction: 'A White Heron.'" Exploring Short Stories. N.p.: n.p., 2003. N. pag. Gale Biography in Context. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.

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