Final answer:
Feathers in the provided texts symbolize a connection with nature, represent freedom and beauty, and indicate a deeper understanding or transformation of characters within the narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrator mentions feathers to symbolize various aspects in the literary works provided such as knowledge, freedom, and closeness to nature. In one instance, the feather represents a connection to the vastness of the moor and the elegance of an eagle, thus linking the poet to the bird. In another scenario, the mention of soft gray feathers during a beautiful dawn associates the birds with serenity and the natural world's awe-inspiring beauty. Furthermore, in the context of the child Sylvia and the heron, the feather becomes a sign of secret knowledge and the preciousness of wildlife, while also the fragility of life, as characterized by a character's comparison to a bird that has drastically changed.