Character Analysis Of Louisa Ellis's A New England Nun

In “A New England Nun,” one can view the protagonist, Louisa Ellis as either a feminist or a selfless person. The view chosen depends on the reader’s own views and beliefs. The evidence shown throughout the story suggests the story takes place in a time period where women were not able to sustain a life on their own. Although this idea existed, Louisa shows she can live an independent life as “her life has been full of pleasant peace” the last 7 years she has been alone (Freeman, 472). This quote suggests Louisa believes she can live a happy life without a husband. However, for this time period, this was not always the case as women depended on their husbands for financial support and protection. Louisa, subjected to loneliness the last 15 …show more content…
Her character is loyal yet a perfectionist and loner at the same time. Waiting 15 years to marry the love of her life, “she had been faithful to him all these years” (Freeman 472). This quote not only shows her faithfulness to herself and others, but also her worth of value on commitment. Louisa’s loyalty does not take into account the fact they have both changed in the last 14 years. “Fifteen years ago she had been in love with him,” but now, not sure of her love for him, knows she has a decision to make (Freeman, 472). Along with her loyalty, she also tends to have a perfectionist side as shown when she is tending to her lettuce “which she has raised to perfection” (Freeman 469). The perfectionist side of her also shows when she “methodically” does her housework for the day (Freeman, 476). Both of these instances can be seen as needs for a perfectionist. Louisa is also a loner who has a “happy solitary life” (Freeman, 472). The story suggests she would not want to leave the life she has now for a married …show more content…
The idea of Louisa not wanting to leave can mirror her dog, Caesar 's, situation. Although chained to his own dog house, Caesar 's situation resembles Louisa 's own metaphorical chains connecting her to the house. Though the chains are not real, the “chains” represent how Louisa’s own personality and way of life has led her to feel the need to be in solitude. Like the dog, the canary, caged in its own way resembles Louisa. Just like the dog, the canary symbolizes Louisa’s imprisonment to herself. When Joe tells her that "someday I 'm going to take him out,” he suggests he will one-day release Louisa from her solitude life (Freeman, 474). Louisa, however, does not want the dog, or she released from their current lives. Instead, she would rather make her own path as shown when her “feet had turned into a path…” (Freeman, 472). This suggests Louisa cannot live a wifely life and have someone who doesn’t love her back. She also feels in order for her to obtain happiness for her herself, she cannot and will not move out of her comfort