"A White Heron"

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the dominant theme, in "A White Heron," of pastoral innocence coming into contact and into conflict with the loss of innocence in a modern, industrial world. The paper also examines how the tone, conflict and character development in this story follows along the lines of what is known as American literary realism. The paper lucidly portrays the nine-year old central character, Sylvia, as a symbol of what the world was like before industrialization. The paper is of the opinion that reading a story in which innocence perseveres is refreshing and enlightening and hopefully instructive on an intellectual and social level.

From the Paper:

"This child could be considered a metaphor for innocence in the genre of realism. She could well be thought of as a symbol of what the world was like before industrialization, before wars, greed, lust for power and control of nature, and before the invention of weapons that kill. Her heart "beat fast with pleasure" as she listened to the "thrushes"; many young girls' hearts would beat fast at the idea of going to a movie, or the mall, or a party with many friends at hand. But Sylvia is part of the world of trees, birds, and the solitude that is part of the natural world, away from the stress and impersonal relationships of thousands of people on busy sidewalks."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Atkinson, Michael. "The Necessary Extravagance of Sarah Orne Jewett: Voices of Authority in 'A White Heron'." Studies in Short Fiction, 19.1 (1982): 71-74. Gale Research.
• Bily, Cynthia. "An overview of 'A White Heron'." Exploring Short Stories, Gale Research (1998).
• Chase, Richard. "Realism in American Literature, 1860-1890." Retrieved April 13, 2007, fromhttp://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/realism.htm. (Web site material excerpted from Chase's book The American Novel and its Tradition).
• Jewett, Sarah Orne. A White Heron. The Norton Anthology of American Literature Sixth Editionpp. 597-604. Ed. Nina Baym. Volume C. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
• Nagel, Gwen L. "A White Heron: Overview." Reference Guide to Short Fiction, 1st ed. EditedBy Noelle Watson, St. James Press (1994).

More papers on "A White Heron":

• Comparison Essay # 124274 : "A White Heron" and "A Sisterly Scheme"
• Analytical Essay # 52448 : "Sarah Orne Jewett's "A White Heron"
• Comparison Essay # 103332 : "Moral Integrity in "A White Heron" and "Barn Burning"

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