A White Heron, Sarah Orne Jewett (1886)

June 12, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

This episode explores the life and work of Sarah Orne Jewett, highlighting her contributions to American literature and her connection to New England.

“The tree seemed to lengthen itself out as she went up, and to reach farther and farther upward. It was like a great main-mast to the voyaging earth; it must truly have been amazed that morning through all its ponderous frame as it felt this determined spark of human spirit creeping and climbing from higher branch to branch.” Sarah Orne Jewett is one of those great American writers who enjoyed broad popularity while alive but whose name has fallen off the dwindlingly short list of classic writers with modern day recognition. This says more about the tenor of modern modes of entertainment than it does about the quality of her writing. Along with friend and contemporary Mary Wilkins Freeman (a recording of her story “Shadows on the Wall” can be found here ), Jewett was published regularly by The Atlantic and Harper’s and under myriad regional mastheads across the country. The focus of Jewett’s entire life, personal and professional, rested in New England. She was raised in New Berwick, Maine, on a family property that situated her childhood home right next door to her grandparents. As a girl, she accompanied her father, a local doctor, on his rounds to visit patients in town and on…

People in this episode

Host: Ruby Love

Topics covered

American literature
classic writers
New England
Sarah Orne Jewett
nature
human spirit

Keywords

A White Heron
Sarah Orne Jewett
American writers
classic literature
New England
nature writing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Atlantic, Harper’s

Places: New England, New Berwick, Maine