Literary Analysis

Climbing the great pine is what Sylvia has to do in order to see the majestic white heron. Climbing the tree is arduous and as she climbs, she can feel her nails digging into the tree: she is grasping nature in her arms. As she climbs the tree, she becomes braver both emotionally and physically. Much like the mythic climbing of a mountain, Sylvia climbs the tree and undergoes a change. She sees the beautiful heron a symbol of beauty and her connection to nature. Sylvia decides where her real values lie.