A New England Nun

A detailed Summary of A New England Nun

The American feminist movement in the 1960s was a struggle for women's rights and freedom. It attempted to shatter the various traditional ideals that sustained the oppression of women and kept them in a subordinate position. Although the historical movement did not take shape until after the mid 20th century, the foundation for this struggle was evident long before. One place in which it is exhibited is in Mary Wilkins Freeman's 1891 progressive and controversial narrative "A New England Nun." Through the main character, Louisa Ellis, Freeman challenges customarily accepted stereotypes of womanhood. Although she portrays Louisa as a traditional late 19th century domesticated woman, she also shows how Louisa is able to assert an autonomous identity and achieve personal satisfaction. Evidence of Louisa asserting an individualistic identity is seen in her decision to remain single and responsible for only herself. Moreover, support of the main character's attainment of self-fulfillment is displayed in her interaction with her home, pet dog Caesar, and productive activities.

Louisa's autonomy is evident in her decision to remain single. Although engaged to her fiance, Joe Dagget, for fifteen years, she has spent fourteen

Louisa's dog, Caesar, is another source of material possessions in which she draws gratification from. She takes comfort in Caesar, for he and his condition mirror that of hers. Caesar lives a lonely existence with only his house and a couple feet of chain in his world. Caesar, like Louisa, is forced into seclusion. Caesar's impose isolation came about as a result of a minor transgression he committed fourteen years ago in which he bit a neighbor's hand, while Louisa isolation transpired because of the unfortunate loses of her mother and brother and her suitor being away. In any case, both of their isolations resulted in similar outcomes: Caesar being shut out from experiencing common canine joys and Louisa from the experiencing the joys of living in the outside world. Consequently, both the dog and Louisa becomes accustom to their solitude. Furthermore, Caesar, like Louisa, are irreversible tamed by their captivity, and no longer crave freedom, in fact, they are quite content and satisfy with their "extended captivity". Upon Joe's return after fourteen years, he offers to take Louisa away from her seclusion (by marrying her), and to free Caesar (unchaining him). Joe states "...and it's down right cruel to keep him tied up there. Someday I'm going to take him out (p. 1628)." Louisa however rejects both of Joe's gestures. Her rejection of his "proposals" is the result of her fears: the fear of losing her autonomy and the fear of losing something that provides comfort and familiarity.

Unlike other women who perform domestic tasks merely in the name of womanhood, Louisa not only willingly, but enjoys and looks forward to carrying out her daily routines. In this sense, her daily routine becomes her religion. This is comparable to a nun carrying out her religious rituals. Thus, both women's self-satisfaction derives from performing their productive activities with dedication and diligence in the name of their religion and God.

This description clearly illustrates the importance of common domestic duties to Louisa as a source of pleasure. However, Louisa realizes that this source will become threatened both by her new stepmother and Joe's masculinity.

Mary Wilkins Freeman's narrative presents a powerful account o

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Approximate Word count = 1512
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English