Question

What is Sarah Jewett suggesting when she writes about Sylvia's increasing attraction to the hunter in "A White Heron"?

Answer 1

While Sylvia in "A White Heron" wants the man's $10 for showing him the location of the bird, she cares more for nature than for people or profit. However, the man's entry into Sylvia's life comes at a time when she is on the verge of puberty, and she has never had feelings of attraction before. In his friendliness toward her, he is manipulating the young girl's naivete to get what he wants: a rare bird to kill and display on his wall.

The answer is D because she is increasingly attracted to the man, but she doesn't follow her physical attraction; instead, she follows her philosophical leanings.

"A White Heron" is an example of literary naturalism, in which the plot always lets nature win.