A New England Nun

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.”

This is the first passage in which Freeman describes Louisa’s actions and possessions, which reveal her psychological association between her sewing items and femininity. She identifies with her sewing items so strongly that they have become a part of her self-concept. Throughout the story it becomes clear that, in general, Louisa identifies and forms close relationships with objects rather than people.

“Louisa used china every day—something which none of her neighbors did. They whispered about it among themselves. Their daily tables were laid with common crockery, their sets of best china stayed in the parlor closet, and Louisa Ellis was no richer nor better bred than they.”

The passage provides a rare perspective on how Louisa’s neighbors view her. Louisa only interacts with Joe in the story, so Freeman’s omniscient narrator fills in this information for the reader. Louisa’s neighbors perceive her everyday use of china as pretentious because they believe she is implying she is better than them. Regardless of whether this is true, her everyday use of china is another quality that sets her apart from her community.

“The twilight deepened; the chorus of the frogs floated in at the open window wonderfully loud and shrill, and once in a while a long sharp drone from a tree-toad pierced it. Louisa took off her green gingham apron, disclosing a shorter one of pink and white print. She lighted her lamp, and sat down again with her sewing.”

Mood is paramount in Freeman’s writing. Her scene setting always begins with a description of the natural world before transitioning to the action. The mood Freeman creates in this passage is lulling, attuning the reader to the protagonist’s state of mind. Freeman includes unexpected moments of surprise; the reader likely finds it strange that Louisa is wearing another apron under her first one.