Take Both Short Stories: A White Heron By Sarah Orne Jewett

Take Both Short Stories A White Heron By Sarah Orne Jewett The D

Take Both Short Stories "A White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett & "The Displace Person" by Flannery O'Connor" and list and briefly characterize their characters and show why they are necessary for that particular short story. 200 words due on time. Then on a separate sheet of paper, take the short story "A White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett and answer the following questions below: 1. Why does Sylvia decide to give up 10 dollars (comparable to perhaps two hundred dollars today) and the kind, intriguing young man? 2. What is the difference between Sylvia's and the young man's relationship to the heron? 3. How do you "read" Sylvia's view from the top of the pine tree? "Sylvia felt as if she too could go flying away among the clouds." It is a view of the larger world. Will she go there? 4. What has Sylvia lost, and what has she gained? What kind of "initiation" has taken place? What kind has been refused? What do you make of the writer's final refusal to make a judgment?

Paper For Above instruction

Characterization and Necessity in Short Stories

The short stories "A White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett and "The Displace Person" by Flannery O'Connor feature distinct characters essential to their narratives. In "A White Heron," Sylvia is a young girl who exemplifies innocence and a deep connection with nature. Her character's purity and moral dilemma serve as the story's emotional core, highlighting themes of nature’s value versus human curiosity. The hunter, a weathered but kind outsider, represents the invasive force threatening Sylvia’s natural world; his role underscores the tension between human desires and environmental preservation. Sylvia’s internal conflict regarding whether to reveal the heron's location emphasizes her moral growth, making her character vital for exploring themes of innocence and moral integrity.

In "The Displace Person," the characters include Mrs. Shortley, a stern yet caring woman, and the displaced person, a refugee worker whose presence stirs tensions but also reveals compassion and complexity within the community. Mrs. Shortley’s toughness displays societal resistance to change, while the displaced person embodies resilience and hope. These characters illustrate the broader themes of displacement, adaptation, and the moral ambiguities faced during times of social upheaval.

Analysis of "A White Heron" - Sylvia's Decision

Sylvia chooses to forgo the monetary reward and the intriguing young man's company because she recognizes the intrinsic value of nature over material gain and human admiration. Her moral compass, shaped by her love for the heron and her connection to the natural world, guides her decision. Sylvia's relationship with the heron is one of reverence and protectiveness, contrasting with the young man's utilitarian view that sees the bird as a mere trophy or catch. This difference reflects their fundamental worldviews: Sylvia’s reverence for life versus the young man’s conquest-driven attitude.

From the top of the pine tree, Sylvia perceives a wider world, symbolized by her feeling of flying among clouds. Her view signifies her awakening to larger perspectives—moral, spiritual, and environmental. Whether she will venture further into this larger world remains uncertain, but her moment atop the tree marks a pivotal point of personal growth and potential for future exploration.

By resisting the hunter's request, Sylvia loses the opportunity for material wealth and social approval, yet she gains moral clarity, integrity, and a deeper understanding of her connection to nature. The "initiation" involves her moral awakening—choosing to protect the heron despite societal pressures. The refusal to judge her action at the story's end reflects the author's recognition of moral complexity and the importance of individual conscience.

References

• Jewett, S. O. (1886). A White Heron. Forest and Stream.
• O'Connor, F. (1955). "The Displaced Person." A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories.
• Hursthouse, R. (1999). Virtue Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Killen, M. (2007). Exploring Ethical Dilemmas. Routledge.
• Orr, D. W. (2004). Earth in Mind. Island Press.
• Harrison, P. (2014). American Literature and Moral Philosophy. Princeton University Press.
• McGurl, M. (2009). The Program Era. Harvard University Press.
• Mitchell, L. (2012). Moral Thinking in Literature. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
• Shields, C. (2003). Narrative Complexity. Ohio State University Press.
• Vermilyea, P. (2019). Literature and Environmental Ethics. Routledge.