Characteristics of Realism and Naturalism in 'A White Heron'

Characteristics of Realism in "A White Heron"

• Detail and Description:

  • The story opens with vivid descriptions of the woods at sunset, highlighting the sensory experiences, e.g., "The woods were already filled with shadows… a bright sunset still glimmered faintly."
  • These details immerse readers in Sylvia's world, engaging their senses and illustrating the natural setting's importance.

• Complex Characters:

  • Sylvia is portrayed as a complex character, showing emotions of fear, curiosity, and a growing sense of loyalty.
  • Her internal conflict between her desire for connection with the young sportsman and her bond with nature fosters a realistic portrayal of human emotion.

• Ordinary Life:

  • The story focuses on the simple, everyday life and chores of Sylvia and her grandmother, contrasting the wilderness with the mundane tasks of farm life.
  • The narrative emphasizes the routine aspect of Sylvia’s journey to find her cow and the interconnectedness of daily life and nature.

• Social Context:

  • References to Sylvia’s background in a crowded factory town highlight socio-economic themes, suggesting realism’s grip on societal conditions from which characters emerge.
  • Sylvia's grandmother reflects the traditional values of rural life, creating a backdrop that emphasizes the characters' social environment.

Characteristics of Naturalism in "A White Heron"

• Nature as a Force:

  • Nature plays a significant role as a powerful force in the characters' lives, impacting Sylvia's choices and her connection to the environment.
  • The story highlights the fact that Sylvia’s survival and well-being are deeply tied to the natural world, exemplified by her bond with the cow and the woods.

• Determinism:

  • Characters appear influenced by their environment; Sylvia’s upbringing in a factory town vs. her current life in nature shows how background shapes behavior and choices.
  • Sylvia’s internal conflict and ultimate loyalty to the heron illustrates a deterministic view, suggesting that her identity and fate are tied to her upbringing in a natural setting.

• Influence of Environment and Society:

  • The setting not only shapes Sylvia's character but also reinforces naturalistic themes where social and environmental factors dictate personal outcomes.
  • The young man’s representation of civilization and hunting reflects the tension between human exploitation of nature and communal respect for it, indicating larger societal conflicts.

• Focus on the Life Cycle:

  • Sylvia’s understanding of her surroundings conveys the cycle of life and death present in nature; her decision to protect the heron is, in a way, an act of rebellion against the human inclination to dominate nature.
  • Thus, the tension between her desires and her ecological responsibilities showcases a naturalistic theme of survival and moral choice."}