Use of Allegories in A New England Nun

Use of Allegories in A New England Nun

In "A New England Nun", Mary E. Wilkins Freeman depicts the

life of the classic New England spinster. The image of a spinster

is of an old maid; a woman never married waiting for a man. The

woman waiting to be married is restricted in her life. She does

chores and receives education to make her more desirable as a

wife.

This leads to the allegories used in this short story. The

protagonist life paralleled both of her pets' lives, her dog

Caesar's and that of her little yellow canary. Both comparisons

are of restriction and fear of freedom. The animals and the woman

of this story are irreversible tamed by their captivity, and no

longer crave freedom. Ideas of sin guilt and atonement are also

present between the woman and the dog. These images typify

nineteenth century beliefs of women and their place in society.

This story of Louisa Ellis is an allegory for woman, and uses the

levels of allegory ironically. The stories of the dog and the

bird layer the theme to help represent Louisa's life, who in turn

represents the Eighteenth century woman of society. Louisa's

animals and their relationship to her suitor are further links

between her and her pets. The suitor brings out different traits

than the norm in both the animals and the woman of this story.

The man's influence is seen as disruptive. Man is seen as a

threat to the serenity and security of a spinster's life.

Imagery put forth by this story, and by stereotypes of the

day is of the new England spinster. Women who were not married

yet, lived a life of chores and piousness. They learned their

domestic chores and other things that would make them presentable

as a wife. They did gardening work, read literature, mended

clothing and the sort. These women were dependent on men to come

and take them, to change their lives. Those who were not chosen

were called old maids or spinsters. They typically were wealthy

enough not work, so they lived a singular existence at their

homes. Their homes became prisons. Leaving the home was possible