Emily’s trip back to La Vallée emphasizes how she is now on her own, without St. Aubert to guide her through life anymore. Although St. Aubert is no longer alive, he continues to live on in Emily’s memory, as her recitation of the poem shows. The pheasant that Emily receives from an old friend of St. Aubert’s shows how St. Aubert’s good deeds in life continue to resonate after his death. It also highlights how the natural world continues to provide comfort to Emily, even in her darkest moments.