Published in 1891, "A New England Nun" offers a snapshot into the life of Louisa, a long-engaged, soon-to-be-bride, who has come to appreciate her solitude. In this short story, Freeman challenges the role of women, values, and their relationship to society. For much of the twentieth century, scholarly discussion about the text revolved around the influence of Puritan ethics and the setting and characteristics of New England and its people. Recently, scholars have also started to view the text with a feminist lens. Some appreciate the way in which Louisa deviates from societal norms and pressures by breaking off her engagement; others find her to be a sexually repressed protagonist...
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