Comparing and contrasting Jewett's Sylvy in 'A White Heron' with May Bartram of James's 'The Beast in the Jungle' proves to be an interesting task. How can two such unlike characters be so alike. Only on close examination do these common threads appear.
In the story 'A White Heron,' Sylvy is presented as a young, pre-adolescent girl, living in the country with her grand mother. They are very isolated to themselves, living fairly simple and frugal lives. Sylvy has a few mundane responsibilities which give way to plenty of time for meandering about, and day dreaming while setting about her task. …
