A nun is usually seen by society as someone who does not follow the normalcies of every day life, especially when it comes to men. They do not rely on men to make them happy, and because of this they are often seen as lonely. Mary E. Freeman Wilkins depicts the decaying love of a couple in “A New England Nun” through a woman who has many habits of a nun. Louisa and Joe, though once happily engaged, have grown too distant over their fourteen years apart. After Joe returns from his long trip, the spark the couple once had was gone, and they grew aggravated at everything the other person did. Louisa Ellis does not let societal norms affect her, which eventually leads to her leaving Joe Dagget. Louisa’s non-conformity is apparent in several
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Joe had left to become successful in Australia, unaware of when he would come back—if at all. The two lovers were still engaged though, and when he returned several years later, they were to be wed. There was just one problem. Louisa’s “life, especially for the last 7 years, had been full of pleasant peace; she had never felt discontented nor impatient over her lover 's absence” (Freeman 1626). When Joe stumbled back into her life, the peace was interrupted. They had grown so different from each other. He was a clumsy man who did not care much for order. She was a particular and proper woman who needed everything to be perfect at all times. After Joe had made a mess in her house during a visit, Louisa complained that “‘He’s tracked in a good deal of dust’” and she “got a dust-pan and brush, and swept Joe Dagget 's track carefully” (Freeman 1625). Both of them grumbled about the flaws of the other as they separated from their daily meeting. He was annoyed at her need for neatness and her particular placement of objects. She was bothered by his lack of concern for her things. This instance shows how different they had become. Prior to his departure, they had so much in common. Louisa’s time alone caused her to like order, with somewhat of a “it’s my way or the highway” mentality. During this time period, women did not ever think like
Joe had left to become successful in Australia, unaware of when he would come back—if at all. The two lovers were still engaged though, and when he returned several years later, they were to be wed. There was just one problem. Louisa’s “life, especially for the last 7 years, had been full of pleasant peace; she had never felt discontented nor impatient over her lover 's absence” (Freeman 1626). When Joe stumbled back into her life, the peace was interrupted. They had grown so different from each other. He was a clumsy man who did not care much for order. She was a particular and proper woman who needed everything to be perfect at all times. After Joe had made a mess in her house during a visit, Louisa complained that “‘He’s tracked in a good deal of dust’” and she “got a dust-pan and brush, and swept Joe Dagget 's track carefully” (Freeman 1625). Both of them grumbled about the flaws of the other as they separated from their daily meeting. He was annoyed at her need for neatness and her particular placement of objects. She was bothered by his lack of concern for her things. This instance shows how different they had become. Prior to his departure, they had so much in common. Louisa’s time alone caused her to like order, with somewhat of a “it’s my way or the highway” mentality. During this time period, women did not ever think like