Answer and Explanation:
“A White Heron” is a short story by Sarah Orne Jewett, first published in 1886. The story follows a young city girl named Sylvia who comes to live with her grandmother in the country. She meets a young ornithologist hunter seeking to find a rare bird that he recently spotted in the area. As the story progresses, Sylvia is challenged with whether or not she should tell the hunter she saw the bird. She also discovers her passion for country life and her love and values for the animals that inhabit it1.
There are several passages in “A White Heron” that support your thesis that the author is trying to teach an adult reader that nature is more important than material things, as well as people’s decisions have an effect on not only on how other people feel and think of them but also on how they think about and feel about themselves.
One such passage is when Sylvia decides not to reveal the location of the white heron to the hunter, despite his offer of money: “Were the birds better friends than their hunter might have been, - who can tell? Whatever treasures were lost to her, woodlands and summer-time, remember! Bring your gifts and graces and tell your secrets to this lonely country child!” This passage suggests that Sylvia values her connection to nature and its inhabitants more than material gain.
Another passage that supports your thesis is when Sylvia reflects on her decision not to reveal the location of the white heron: “She could not tell the heron’s secret and give its life away. Dear loyalty, that suffered a sharp pang as the guest went away disappointed later in the day, that could serve and make no sign.” This passage suggests that Sylvia’s decision has an impact on how she feels about herself, as well as how others perceive her.
These are just two examples of passages from “A White Heron” that support your thesis. There may be other passages in the story that also connect to your thesis.