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. Finally she rose and changed the position of the books, putting the album underneath. There would be a large house to care for; there would be company to entertain; there would be Joe's rigours and feeble old mother to wait upon. She becomes nervous, if not enraged, when Joe later knocks over her workbasket. Someday I'm going to take him out (p. One place in which she finds such gratification is in her material objects, particularly her home and her pet animal Caesar. One situation that highlights this point is Louisa's encounter with Joe following his return for Australia. 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). 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". It is a place of worship for her, just like a convent is to a nun. Her short story provides a descriptive portrayal of the pervasive theme of psychic oppression and rebellion of women from mainstream society's traditional ideals of womanhood and autonomy. 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.
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Acceptance Essays
