Julia Walsh

Mr. Lowe
English 9B
7/18/14

The World Beyond

The simple act of climbing a tree can be a way of freedom and
exhilaration. In the excerpt from A White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett, a 9
year old, solitary Sylvia searches for a rare birds whereabouts and climbs
the biggest tree in her community to get a view of the countryside. By
describing the tree itself, the climb, and the victory at the top, Jewett uses
language to depict a mesmerizing adventure.
Jewett proves the adventure is novel through her descriptions of the
tree itself. The introduction of the story explains the history of the tree, the
great pine-tree stood, the last of its generation. The diction displayed here
tells the reader how remarkable the tree is for still standing. Also, the tree is
described as a landmark for sea and shore miles and miles away. The tree
is not only old but well known and respected in the community. In addition,
Sylvia gazes up at the big pine tree she studies its height, the monstrous
ladder reaching up almost to the sky. Jewett uses exaggeration in a
metaphor to illustrate the unusualness of the tree and how it is not the

average tree. In other words, the author appropriately interprets the

dramatic aspects of the tree itself.
The author portrays Sylvias climb through descriptive language and in
result displays a grand journey. As Sylvia starts her journey up the tree, the
tree seemed to lengthen itself out as she went up. The tree is personified
and is surprised when Sylvia is commencing it, this animates the story and
captivates the reader since the tree is given life. The tree is compared to a
mast on a ship, like a great main-mast to the voyaging earth. Jewett gives
the tree a deeper edge by explaining that the tree is sailing on an important
mission, and by doing so, opens the readers imagination. Similarly, once the
tree acknowledges Sylvia, it accepts her and stood still and held away the
winds. Not only is the tree personified but it is given human emotions and
seems to protect Sylvia, showing its love for her and her adventure. At last,
Jewett takes advantage of language to exhibit how climbing a tree can be a
wistful adventure.
Sylvias victory that takes place at the top of the tree exemplifies the
adventure within the story. Sylvia is exhausted but also in high spirits to
reach the finale, Sylvias face was like a pale star high in the tree top.
Her undertaking is completed and a sense of satisfaction is on Sylvias face,
emphasizing how Sylvia feels triumphant. Furthermore, Sylvia ponders the
hawks flying beside her and she feels as if she too could go fly among the
clouds. In all her glory, Sylvia feels invincible, contributing to the climax of
the story. Finally, staring out into the distance, Jewett adds a revelation,

truly it was a vast and awesome world. The author gratifies in the beauty
seen from the tree and in the end, the whole climb is worthwhile. Therefore,
the end result of the story explains how a long and tiresome climb can be a
magnificent and fulfilling journey.
Sarah Orne Jewett uses language to communicate the effects of
adventure of the tree, the climb and the victory at the top. The tree itself is
an example of how something so large, old and known can be such a
grandeur experience to discover for Sylvia. The author creates drama by
personifying the tree as Sylvia climbs, this energy stimulates imagery and
lets the reader see the adventure for themselves. And the experience of
gaining the target at the top of the tree really secures the purpose of the
story, to take risk and not give up, to be driven to exploration. One way to
get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure -William Feather.
What Feather complies to this story is that little things like climbing trees can
be amazing and help children grow and reach new heights (literally). If
people were more grateful for everyday life and childhood moments, life
would be more enjoyable and fulfilling. Jewett does a great job proving this
point, the entire structure of the story produces dramatizing and expeditious
elements by explaining the tree, Sylvias climb and her victory at the top.