Introduction
Sarah Jewett’s A White Heron is a short story written in the best literary traditions of the nineteenth century: although simple in its language and plot, it cleverly alludes to many important philosophical questions. In a tale about a young girl meeting a hunter, the author touches upon the subjects of the relationship of humans and nature, the feelings of attraction, and moral judgment. This essay aims to analyze how Jewett’s writing style draws upon the dilemma of egoism and altruism in making ethical decisions.
Plot
The story begins by introducing its protagonist, Sylvia, and her amicable relationship with nature. Wandering in the woods, she meets a young male looking to hunt for the rare white heron and quickly develops feelings for him. Overcome with a “wild ambition” to help the man the girl sneaks out of the house at night to climb the tallest tree in the forest – a vantage point for sighting the bird (Jewett, p. 7). The protagonist discovers the bird’s nest but does not tell the hunter where it is, despite her feelings and his promise to “make them rich with money” (Jewett 9). Jewett lets the reader decide if Sylvia made the right decision as the girl finds herself in doubt about it at the end of the story.
Questions
In this story, Jewett addresses the critical battle of selfishness and altruism: should one choose what is best for them or the other (and sometimes, for everybody)? The author juxtaposes the dire financial situation of Sylvia’s family, who are “so poor now” with an inalienable right of every creature to live (Jewett, p. 9). The protagonist resents the pettiness of the hunter’s pursuit: “she could not understand why he killed the very birds he seemed to like so much” (Jewett, p. 6). Therefore, one can praise Sylvia for her decision for the noble spirit. Another can criticize because it affected the welfare of people other than herself. Although morality is important, sometimes it is crucial to estimate the gravity of adhering to it correctly.
Conclusion
Despite being written a century and a half ago, A White Heron raises a question that occupies the minds of many people today. In a simple story, Jewett connects appreciation for nature and a fleeting attraction, putting its character before a difficult moral decision. Once again, classic literature induces its unsuspecting reader to ponder over the timeless philosophical problems and reflect on their ethics.
Work Cited
Jewett, Sarah. “A White Heron.” A White Heron and Other Stories. Dover thrift ed. Ed. Susan Rattiner. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1999. 1-9. Print.