Freeman's Obsessive Organization
Louisa is almost incapable of feeling at ease with other people around, thus, her independent lifestyle is shown to be the only way she can feel serene. Louisa’s compulsive nature leads her to maintain her home in a very particular way. Any disruption upsets her disposition greatly. She seems to prefer an orderly life over human companionship. Obsessive organization is what brings Louisa peace, as she “had almost the enthusiasm of an artist over the mere order and cleanliness of her solitary home” (Freeman, 443). The level of tidiness she maintains seems to be the only way she can cope with her neurotic tendencies. Accordingly, she cannot possess serenity while other people are sharing, or even visiting, her home. Also, her sense of peace derives
from her love of her personal items. She finds solace in pretty, delicate things. Her love for her belongings increases after they become the only things she has. They are the equivalent to friends of the young girl, and they have been constant in her life for years, as the author declares, “Louisa Ellis could not remember that ever in her life she had mislaid one of these little feminine appurtenances, which had become, from long use and constant association, a very part of her personality” (Freeman, 439). Marrying Joe means she must leave her beloved home and treasures. The thought of losing the security of the items brings much discomfort to Louisa. The carefully decorated home and her treasured trinkets are what brings the woman sanctity in her disorganized life. Unfortunately, these things would be forever lost to Louisa if she got married. Smitten, engaged young women tend to see marriage as a gateway to peace and happiness, but Louisa thought of her impending union as “the inevitable conclusion to things” (Freeman, 442). Harmony and security are essential to the mental health of any person, something that would have become a tremendous issue for the young woman had she found herself in another living situation. By showing Louisa’s apprehension of marrying and peace while living at home, Freeman adds to the beneficial qualities one can find when living alone.
from her love of her personal items. She finds solace in pretty, delicate things. Her love for her belongings increases after they become the only things she has. They are the equivalent to friends of the young girl, and they have been constant in her life for years, as the author declares, “Louisa Ellis could not remember that ever in her life she had mislaid one of these little feminine appurtenances, which had become, from long use and constant association, a very part of her personality” (Freeman, 439). Marrying Joe means she must leave her beloved home and treasures. The thought of losing the security of the items brings much discomfort to Louisa. The carefully decorated home and her treasured trinkets are what brings the woman sanctity in her disorganized life. Unfortunately, these things would be forever lost to Louisa if she got married. Smitten, engaged young women tend to see marriage as a gateway to peace and happiness, but Louisa thought of her impending union as “the inevitable conclusion to things” (Freeman, 442). Harmony and security are essential to the mental health of any person, something that would have become a tremendous issue for the young woman had she found herself in another living situation. By showing Louisa’s apprehension of marrying and peace while living at home, Freeman adds to the beneficial qualities one can find when living alone.