Summary

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In "A New England Nun," Louisa Ellis faces a dilemma when her fiancé, Joe Dagget, returns from Australia after fourteen years, intending to marry her. During his absence, Louisa has grown accustomed to her tranquil, solitary life and is uncertain about the changes Joe's presence will bring. The narrative explores Louisa's inner conflict as she decides whether to embrace her independent lifestyle or the chaos Joe might introduce.

Joe's Return and Disruption

Joe Dagget comes back from his long stay in Australia, where he had ventured to amass enough wealth to care for Louisa. His sudden presence in her life disrupts the peace Louisa has cultivated over the years. Her home, pristine and orderly, becomes a source of anxiety when Joe inadvertently causes chaos, tracking dust and knocking things over. Louisa's life revolves around caring for her house, her canary, and her elderly dog, Caesar, who has remained chained due to a past incident of aggression. Joe's visits, meant to rekindle their engagement, leave both feeling uneasy, as Louisa hastily restores her environment to its previous immaculate state after his departure.

Contemplating Change

The story unfolds through an omniscient narrator who delves into Louisa's thoughts and experiences. In her youth, Louisa believed herself in love with Joe, but her nature is not one of fiery passion. Over the years, she has inherited her family home and taken charge of her brother's dog, carving out a contented, singular existence. The prospect of marriage threatens to upend her carefully constructed life, as Joe's vision includes a bustling household with his formidable mother, who would likely view Louisa's meticulous habits with disdain. One of Louisa's chief worries is the potential for Joe to release Caesar, envisioning the havoc the dog could wreak. Conversely, Joe harbors feelings for Lily Dyer, a young woman assisting his mother, yet both he and Louisa feel bound by their longstanding promise to wed.

An Eavesdropped Revelation

As the wedding draws near, Louisa's perspective shifts. One evening, while enjoying the outdoors, she overhears a private conversation between Joe and Lily, in which they confess their mutual affection but resolve to separate out of respect for Joe's commitment. This revelation provides Louisa the opportunity to reconsider her path; she ends the engagement without mentioning Lily, simply citing her inability to adapt to a new lifestyle. Though she sheds a few tears, the decision brings her a sense of liberation that becomes apparent the following day.

Embracing Solitude

Freed from her engagement, Louisa embraces her identity as a "New England nun," content in her self-fashioned sanctuary. Released from the obligation to marry Joe, she can continue her life free from the turmoil of a shared existence. Louisa relishes the predictability of her routines and the solitude that allows her to focus on her domestic comforts, such as her herb and flower distillations, and the quiet company of Caesar.

A Choice of Worlds

The story's conclusion draws a stark contrast between the boundless, vibrant world outside—"the fervid summer afternoon; the air was filled with the sounds of the busy harvest of men and birds and bees"—and the confined, serene world Louisa chooses. She willingly forgoes the traditional roles of wife and mother, preferring the serenity of her chosen solitude, filled with the familiar activities of tidying and flower pressing. In choosing this life, Louisa reclaims her autonomy, finding peace within the confines of her modest home, where each seam is perfectly stitched, each surface polished to a shine.

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