Imagery in "A White Heron"
Sarah Orne Jewett uses figurative language, tactile and organic imagery, and captivating diction to transform a girl’s climb up a tree into a quest leading to triumph and wonder
1. Jewett uses figurative language to dramatize the adventure Sylvia is on to make the story more than an ordinary climb in a tree.
a. “and held like a bird’s claws to the monstrous ladder reaching up up up….”
Through simile, jewett compares Sylvia to a bird clutching the tree. author includes this to show bravery and strength in Sylvia as she is climbing a tree with bare feet and hands. Including that the tree reaches up to the sky itself is creating an image to the reader of what Sylvia sees. She sees the tree as going on forever.
b. “it was like a great main-mast to the voyaging earth”
The author uses this simile to compare the tree to a main mast on a ship, an essential element for a ship to find its way. The author creates a connection between Sylvia and the tree at this moment. She also says the tree “must have loved his new dependent” the author is describing Sylvia being one with the tree
c. “Sylvia’s face was like a pale star”
Her pale face represents her pure character and she was shining like a star shines. She had reached the top of the tree and was in awe of what surrounded her.
The author states Sylvia felt “ as if she too could go flying away among the clouds.”
Another way of comparing her to a bird. She has gained freedom and Jewett shows her triumph and freedom through her liberation at the top of the tree.
2. Jewett uses tactile and organic imagery in this excerpt from “A white Heron” in order to connect the readers feelings with that of Sylvia Jewett creates an image through strong detail of what Sylvia is feeling. She also uses tactile imagery to create a feeling in the reader that they were climbing the tree too
a. “the sharp dry twigs caught and held her and scratched her like angry talons”
Jewett likens the tree to a bird now. The tactile imagery puts
1. Jewett uses figurative language to dramatize the adventure Sylvia is on to make the story more than an ordinary climb in a tree.
a. “and held like a bird’s claws to the monstrous ladder reaching up up up….”
Through simile, jewett compares Sylvia to a bird clutching the tree. author includes this to show bravery and strength in Sylvia as she is climbing a tree with bare feet and hands. Including that the tree reaches up to the sky itself is creating an image to the reader of what Sylvia sees. She sees the tree as going on forever.
b. “it was like a great main-mast to the voyaging earth”
The author uses this simile to compare the tree to a main mast on a ship, an essential element for a ship to find its way. The author creates a connection between Sylvia and the tree at this moment. She also says the tree “must have loved his new dependent” the author is describing Sylvia being one with the tree
c. “Sylvia’s face was like a pale star”
Her pale face represents her pure character and she was shining like a star shines. She had reached the top of the tree and was in awe of what surrounded her.
The author states Sylvia felt “ as if she too could go flying away among the clouds.”
Another way of comparing her to a bird. She has gained freedom and Jewett shows her triumph and freedom through her liberation at the top of the tree.
2. Jewett uses tactile and organic imagery in this excerpt from “A white Heron” in order to connect the readers feelings with that of Sylvia Jewett creates an image through strong detail of what Sylvia is feeling. She also uses tactile imagery to create a feeling in the reader that they were climbing the tree too
a. “the sharp dry twigs caught and held her and scratched her like angry talons”
Jewett likens the tree to a bird now. The tactile imagery puts