Exploring the Text

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  1. What is the effect of the imagery in the first paragraph?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the effect of the imagery in the first paragraph?
  2. Look up sylvan in the dictionary. What does Sarah Orne Jewett suggest by using Sylvia as the name of her protagonist?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Look up sylvan in the dictionary. What does Sarah Orne Jewett suggest by using Sylvia as the name of her protagonist?
  3. In paragraph 2, Jewett writes, “The good woman suspected that Sylvia loitered occasionally on her own account; there never was such a child for straying about out-of-doors since the world was made!” In terms of the voice, what is the relationship between the two clauses that make up this sentence?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In paragraph 2, Jewett writes, “The good woman suspected that Sylvia loitered occasionally on her own account; there never was such a child for straying about out-of-doors since the world was made!” In terms of the voice, what is the relationship between the two clauses that make up this sentence?
  4. How does Sylvia regard the stranger and his request (par. 8)?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How does Sylvia regard the stranger and his request (par. 8)?
  5. How has Jewett characterized the hunter so that he is not simply a villain or an evil force for Sylvia to resist? For instance, what is the significance of his being an ornithologist? What other details and descriptions does Jewett use to make his portrayal more complex?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How has Jewett characterized the hunter so that he is not simply a villain or an evil force for Sylvia to resist? For instance, what is the significance of his being an ornithologist? What other details and descriptions does Jewett use to make his portrayal more complex?
  6. Jewett concludes paragraph 30 by writing, “Alas, if the great wave of human interest which flooded for the first time this dull little life should sweep away the satisfactions of an existence heart to heart with nature and the dumb life of the forest!” Considering especially such diction as “dull,” “little,” and “dumb,” what is Jewett’s attitude toward Sylvia?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Jewett concludes paragraph 30 by writing, “Alas, if the great wave of human interest which flooded for the first time this dull little life should sweep away the satisfactions of an existence heart to heart with nature and the dumb life of the forest!” Considering especially such diction as “dull,” “little,” and “dumb,” what is Jewett’s attitude toward Sylvia?
  7. What is the effect of Jewett’s use of personification throughout the story?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the effect of Jewett’s use of personification throughout the story?
  8. “A White Heron” may be read as a hero’s journey that follows the traditional pattern of a central figure who is cast out from familiar surroundings, undertakes a journey, encounters obstacles, and experiences a significant change, leading to some sort of redemption. Discuss Sylvia’s journey from this perspective.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - “A White Heron” may be read as a hero’s journey that follows the traditional pattern of a central figure who is cast out from familiar surroundings, undertakes a journey, encounters obstacles, and experiences a significant change, leading to some sort of redemption. Discuss Sylvia’s journey from this perspective.
  9. Some have characterized Jewett as a local colorist. That is, they view her work, including this story, as regionalist literature that focuses on specific features such as the dialect, customs, and landscape of a geographical area. Regionalist works are thus valued more as reflections of a particular place than as depictions of larger universal themes. Do you see “A White Heron” as primarily an example of regionalism? Explain your answer with specific references to the text of the story.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Some have characterized Jewett as a local colorist. That is, they view her work, including this story, as regionalist literature that focuses on specific features such as the dialect, customs, and landscape of a geographical area. Regionalist works are thus valued more as reflections of a particular place than as depictions of larger universal themes. Do you see “A White Heron” as primarily an example of regionalism? Explain your answer with specific references to the text of the story.