“A New England Nun” is a short story that contains elements of both Realist and Romantic literature. Freeman wrote the story during a period of immense change in the literary world—as the United States (and the world at large) became more industrialized in the late 19th century, writers shifted their attention from romantic tales set in nature to realistic depictions of everyday life in modern society.
While “A New England Nun” includes several passages with rich descriptions of the natural world (rendering it a piece of Romantic literature), it also realistically captures the dissolution of a romantic relationship rather than ending with an engagement or marriage (making it more of a work of Realism). The ways in which the story zeroes in on the mundane goings-on of Louisa’s life—such as cleaning her home or distilling her fragrances—also shows Freeman’s interest in Realism. Rather than having her female character play the gendered romantic roles of desirable young woman or maiden in distress, Freeman centers her story on an older woman who cares more for a simple life of solitude than having a relationship with a man.
This story is also a work of Regionalism, a genre of literature that emerged after the Civil War and that focused on capturing the unique cultures and geographies of specific regions of the United States. While authors like Mark Twain were telling stories of the American South, writers like Freeman were interested in showcasing the natural beauty of New England and the slow, contemplative lives of its inhabitants.
