A New England Nun: Love or Independence?
Intro to Fiction
Dr. Fraustino
October 7, 2013
“A New England Nun”
They say love triumphs all yet often times this statement is disproved. For some people there are certain aspects in life greater than love such as a sense of independence.
In the short story “A New England Nun” by Mary Wilkins Freeman the main character Louisa Ellis is a prime example of this statement. While her fiancée Joe is absent for fourteen years in Australia trying to make a fortune Louisa falls victim to her own routine. Louisa becomes independent and set in her own ways. Once Joe returns from Australia, Louisa has come to the realization that she has become so independent that she can’t change. Her lifestyle, her pets and her interactions with her fiancée Joe together make the theme of independence prevalent. The reader is shown just how independent and set in her ways Louisa really is in the beginning of the story. Louisa is a perfectionist and does what she wants to do. Changing even the slightest object in her house makes her uneasy. For example, when Joe changed the arrangement of books on her table “Louisa kept eyeing them with mild uneasiness”(471). When Joe asked her what was the big deal she responded by saying “I always keep them that way”(471). These statements show the reader that Louisa does not like change and likes how things are already. “Her life, especially for the last seven years, had been full of a pleasant peace” (472). It seems to the reader that Louisa is happy by herself. Also, when Joe accidently knocks over her workbasket she wouldn’t let Joe pick it up instead she says, “I’ll pick them up after you’re gone”(471). This statement shows Louisa’s independence because she can do things on her own and does not allow Joe to help clean up the mess. Louisa likes her current lifestyle and these statements make that known. Louisa’s dog Caesar and her yellow bird also represent a part of her. The dog Caesar was always tied up outside
Dr. Fraustino
October 7, 2013
“A New England Nun”
They say love triumphs all yet often times this statement is disproved. For some people there are certain aspects in life greater than love such as a sense of independence.
In the short story “A New England Nun” by Mary Wilkins Freeman the main character Louisa Ellis is a prime example of this statement. While her fiancée Joe is absent for fourteen years in Australia trying to make a fortune Louisa falls victim to her own routine. Louisa becomes independent and set in her own ways. Once Joe returns from Australia, Louisa has come to the realization that she has become so independent that she can’t change. Her lifestyle, her pets and her interactions with her fiancée Joe together make the theme of independence prevalent. The reader is shown just how independent and set in her ways Louisa really is in the beginning of the story. Louisa is a perfectionist and does what she wants to do. Changing even the slightest object in her house makes her uneasy. For example, when Joe changed the arrangement of books on her table “Louisa kept eyeing them with mild uneasiness”(471). When Joe asked her what was the big deal she responded by saying “I always keep them that way”(471). These statements show the reader that Louisa does not like change and likes how things are already. “Her life, especially for the last seven years, had been full of a pleasant peace” (472). It seems to the reader that Louisa is happy by herself. Also, when Joe accidently knocks over her workbasket she wouldn’t let Joe pick it up instead she says, “I’ll pick them up after you’re gone”(471). This statement shows Louisa’s independence because she can do things on her own and does not allow Joe to help clean up the mess. Louisa likes her current lifestyle and these statements make that known. Louisa’s dog Caesar and her yellow bird also represent a part of her. The dog Caesar was always tied up outside