“The White Heron” is a classic story written by Sarah Orne Jewett. In this story, nature is an essential key element of the theme. The reader can also relate to the protagonist, Sylvia, in many ways. Sylvia and the reader have many similar thoughts. For example, one way they can relate is how they both love nature and consider it their companion. However, while they have a love for humans, it is to a lesser extent. The author, Sarah Orne Jewett, was born September 3, 1849 and died June 24, 1909. She grew up around Berwick, Maine. This is the setting for many of his stories along with the New England wilderness. In "The White Heron", the main character is a girl named Sylvia. She is also the protagonist of the story. There is also another character who is very important. He is the hunter, the antagonist of the story. Throughout the story, Sylvia fights to prevent the hunter from finding and killing the white heron for his bird collection. In this story there is the very important theme of the flesh versus the spirit. In “The White Heron,” Sylvia's previous experience with the white heron leads her to the flesh versus spirit decision. Before the story begins, the reader may imply that Sylvia has made a connection with the white heron. Therefore, in the novel, Sylvia decided to prevent the hunter from finding and killing the white heron. Sarah Orne JewettHolt 2 develops the theme of flesh versus nature in her narrative through the use of imagery of characterization and symbolism. One of the ways Jewett exposes the theme of flesh versus spirit is through the use of characterization. In the story an example of characterization is "Sometimes, when the weather is nice, it was a consolation... middle of paper... to discuss the pine tree where the white heron lives. Jewett says "...to All' end of the woods, where the ground was higher, stood a large pine tree, the last of its generation” (Jewett). Although this quote has the symbolism of the pine tree, there are two different meanings of the tree. First, it shows the goodness of nature and clarity of thought. The pine tree can also represent the culmination of the decision that Sylvia must make. “Sylvia can see everything from the top of the pine tree and it splits in two showing two paths Sylvia could take in her life” (Norton). Since this is where the white heron lives, the pine tree is probably the most important part of the story's setting. Both of these pine meanings refer to Sylvia choosing nature over man. As a result, Sylvia decided not to tell the hunter where the white heron was.