Use of Allegories in a New England Nun In "A New England Nun", Mary E. Wilkins Freeman depicts the life of the classic New England old maid. The image of a spinster is an old maid; a never married woman waiting for a man. The woman who is waiting to get married is limited in her life. She does household chores and receives an education to make her more desirable as a wife. This leads to the allegories used in this short story. The protagonist's life paralleled the lives of his two pets, that of his dog Caesar and that of his little yellow canary. Both comparisons are about restriction and fear of freedom. The animals and the woman in this story are irreversibly tamed by their captivity and no longer crave freedom. Ideas of guilt and atonement are also present between the woman and the dog. These images characterize 19th century beliefs about women and their place in society. This story by Louisa Ellis is an allegory of women and uses the levels of the allegory in an ironic way. The stories of the dog and the bird overlap the theme to help represent the life of Louisa, who in turn represents the woman of 18th century society. Louisa's animals and their relationship with her suitor are further connections between her and her pets. The suitor brings out traits that are different from the norm, both in the animals and in the woman in this story. Human influence is considered disruptive. The man is seen as a threat to the serenity and security of an old maid's life. The images put forward by this story and by the stereotypes of the time are those of the old New England maid. Women who were not yet married led a life of chores and piety. They learned their household chores and other things that would make them presentable as a wife. They did gardening, read literature, mended clothes, etc. These women depended on the men who came for them and changed their lives. Those who were not chosen were called spinsters or spinsters. They were generally wealthy enough not to work, so they lived a singular existence at home. Their homes have become prisons. Leaving home was possible