A White Heron By Sarah Orne Jewett
“A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett, is a short story that is a representation of the life within Maine. Jewett demonstrates the conflict Sylvia; a newly rural child faces when given the choice of pleasing the man she is attracted to or being faithful to the love she has for nature. Sylvia who knows the location of the White Heron; a unique bird, has to decided whether to place the love she has for nature above pleasing a hunter with the intention of stuffing the bird and adding it to his collection. In Jewett’s short story there are both dynamic and static characters. Sylvia’s grandmother is an example of a static character; she does not evolve. “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is quite different. Marquez demonstrates
society’s individual essence and society as a whole. Certain individuals allowed their impulse to the situation they encounter in the story define them as superb or awful. In the short story, an old man with wings lands in Elisenda and Pelayo’s courtyard. They ask their neighbor what it might be and she responds by saying it is an angel here to take your sick son, you should kill him (Marquez 236). Fortunately, their son recovers but they treat the angel poorly. They charge admission for others to see the angel and keep him in a chicken coop, allowing visitors to treat him poorly as well. The characters within this short story play an immense role, they impact the theme. Within the short stories "A White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett and "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the elements of character, will be discussed. There are not many characters within the short story “A White Heron” however, they all play an important role. Some of the qualities reflected within Sylvia, the protagonist includes being a shy, independent, and considerate child. Her timid personality is demonstrated when she accompanies the hunter to search for the white Heron. Within the short story it states “The sound of her own unquestioned voice would have terrified her-it was hard enough to answer yes or no when there was need of that” (Jewett 71). Sylvia is to timid to speak to the hunter who she is attracted to. Sylvia is also a considerate, brave, and independent child which is demonstrated as she climbs the pine tree in search of the White Heron to please the hunter. She states “… she must reach far and hold fast, the sharp dry twigs caught and held her and scratched her like angry talons…” (Jewett 73). She knew climbing the pine tree would not be an easy task, however she wanted to please the hunter and her grandmother. Sylvia is a dynamic character within the story because rather then pleasing the hunter and her grandmother; how she would have previously done, she refuses to give up the location of the White Heron. She decides to protect the nature she loves. Her growth with the short story is demonstrated as she climbs the pine tree and is described as “…a spark of human spirit…” (Jewett 73) rather than “…a little girl…” (Jewett 66). Within the short story Mrs. Tilley, Sylvia’s grandmother is a static character. Her personality does not evolve, she continues to be friendly, enthusiastic, and neglectful. Her personality is demonstrated during the arrival of the hunter. She does not know who this man is and whether he is telling the truth, I believe she is neglectful of her and granddaughter’s safety. She openly invites a stranger to stay with them. Her friendly, enthusiastic, and neglectful self is demonstrated when she accepts the hunter in her home replying “Dear sakes, yes,...”(Jewett 69). “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” is quite different in the qualities of their characters. The man with enormous wings has supernatural qualities that are shown throughout the story.
society’s individual essence and society as a whole. Certain individuals allowed their impulse to the situation they encounter in the story define them as superb or awful. In the short story, an old man with wings lands in Elisenda and Pelayo’s courtyard. They ask their neighbor what it might be and she responds by saying it is an angel here to take your sick son, you should kill him (Marquez 236). Fortunately, their son recovers but they treat the angel poorly. They charge admission for others to see the angel and keep him in a chicken coop, allowing visitors to treat him poorly as well. The characters within this short story play an immense role, they impact the theme. Within the short stories "A White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett and "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the elements of character, will be discussed. There are not many characters within the short story “A White Heron” however, they all play an important role. Some of the qualities reflected within Sylvia, the protagonist includes being a shy, independent, and considerate child. Her timid personality is demonstrated when she accompanies the hunter to search for the white Heron. Within the short story it states “The sound of her own unquestioned voice would have terrified her-it was hard enough to answer yes or no when there was need of that” (Jewett 71). Sylvia is to timid to speak to the hunter who she is attracted to. Sylvia is also a considerate, brave, and independent child which is demonstrated as she climbs the pine tree in search of the White Heron to please the hunter. She states “… she must reach far and hold fast, the sharp dry twigs caught and held her and scratched her like angry talons…” (Jewett 73). She knew climbing the pine tree would not be an easy task, however she wanted to please the hunter and her grandmother. Sylvia is a dynamic character within the story because rather then pleasing the hunter and her grandmother; how she would have previously done, she refuses to give up the location of the White Heron. She decides to protect the nature she loves. Her growth with the short story is demonstrated as she climbs the pine tree and is described as “…a spark of human spirit…” (Jewett 73) rather than “…a little girl…” (Jewett 66). Within the short story Mrs. Tilley, Sylvia’s grandmother is a static character. Her personality does not evolve, she continues to be friendly, enthusiastic, and neglectful. Her personality is demonstrated during the arrival of the hunter. She does not know who this man is and whether he is telling the truth, I believe she is neglectful of her and granddaughter’s safety. She openly invites a stranger to stay with them. Her friendly, enthusiastic, and neglectful self is demonstrated when she accepts the hunter in her home replying “Dear sakes, yes,...”(Jewett 69). “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” is quite different in the qualities of their characters. The man with enormous wings has supernatural qualities that are shown throughout the story.