4.3 “A White Heron” – Short Answer Questions Answer each question below in complete sentences. Comprehension
1.
Where did Sylvia live before she came to stay at her grandmother’s house? What does the younger stranger hope to find in the wilderness? What does the stranger offer to give anyone who helps him achieve his goals? (3 pts) Sylvia’s home was in the middle of a busy manufacturing town. He is on the lookout for avian life and particularly the breeding grounds of the white heron so that he might add that species to his collection of birds. He is willing to pay $10 as a prize. Analysis 2.
What is Sylvia’s reaction when she first hears the stranger’s whistle? What later events in the story does this reaction foreshadow, or predict? (2 pts)
She is fearful because it remind her of a big boy with a red face who used to follow her around and chase her. It is a hint that the young stranger would go hunting and that he will bribe the woman to seek her assistance in locating and killing the white heron. 3.
On the second day, how does Sylvia feel about the stranger? What motivates Sylvia to climb the pine tree? What effect does the experience of climbing the great pine have on Sylvia? (3 pts) She has mixed feelings about him because of his allure and the fact that he kills birds. He is driven not only by the reward, but also by her spirit of exploration and adventure. 4.
Jewett ends the story by invoking “Dear loyalty.” To whom or what does Sylvia remain loyal by not telling the heron’s secret. Explain your answer. (2 pts) Sylvia maintains her loyalty both to the heron and to herself, as well as the natural world she adores. 5.
How would Sylvia’s and her grandmother’s lives have changed if they had accepted the ten dollars from the stranger? What does this detail suggest about the time period and circumstances in which they live? Explain. (3 pts) The reward includes the opportunity to provide assistance to Sylvia’s grandmas, as well as additional food, a few comforts, and the possibly even transportation to the closest town. The fact they live on a remote farm gives the impression that their everyday life is very straightforward.