Author : Sarah Orne Jewett
Publisher : Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN 13 : 9781976512063
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (12 download)
Book Synopsis The Life of Nancy (1895). By: Sarah Orne Jewett by : Sarah Orne Jewett
Download or read book The Life of Nancy (1895). By: Sarah Orne Jewett written by Sarah Orne Jewett and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-09-18 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Life of Nancy (1895) is a collection of eleven short stories by Sarah Orne Jewett. Following in the tradition of "local color" fiction, Jewett's stories are defined by their detailed descriptions of all aspects of everyday life in the country locales and fishing-towns in which the stories are set. Plot Summary: The first section of the story is centered on the relationship between Nancy Gale and Tom Aldus throughout their lives. It begins in Boston several months after Tom spent time with Nancy's family in East Rodney, Maine. Tom was forced to spend time on the island as his friend sprained his ankle and could no longer travel. Tom and Nancy share a deep connection, which hints at romance but is never explicitly stated (Tom spends much time emphasizing Nancy's great beauty). This is Nancy's first visit to Boston (she is staying with her Aunt and Uncle Ezra four miles outside of the city). Tom gets permission from Ezra to spend the day with Nancy in the city. He is beguiled by her excitement at the city and helps her purchase gifts for several of her family members back home. She then attends a dance class with Tom's aunt, a woman she finds extremely elegant and poised. Nancy informs Tom that a young woman whom he was involved with in East Rodney the previous summer is now seeing another suitor. As the two say good-bye, Tom hopes they will see each other soon. The second section of the story begins 15 years after their day together in Boston. The two have not spoken this entire time. Tom is now married with children. Tom laments his desire to have written to Nancy many times, once during his engagement and another when he left the US for Europe for an extended period of time. He did, however, send her many books. Tom is traveling to East Rodney to survey land purchased by his father. When he arrives he is excited to see Nancy. He attends a ball and is greeted by Nancy's father who informs him that she has been ill with a serious form of rheumatoid arthritis for quite sometime. She is no longer capable of leaver one room in her house. She spends her days giving dance lessons and giving extra help to students from the local school who are having learning troubles. She remains the life of the town. Tom is deeply saddened by this information and travels the next day to visit her. Upon seeing her, he is immediately happy and remembers their lifelong friendship (which he thinks has not changed at all). She expresses how happy she is to see him, but does not spend a lot of time complaining of her situation. The next section of the story begins several months later. Tom has now built a new house on his fathers land (which he was originally going to sell). There is no longer any mention of his wife or children. He has also purchased Nancy a form of wheel chair, which she uses to leave her house and visit Tom outside in the beautiful weather. Everyone in the town is happy that she is able to move about - even if she can no longer walk. The story ends with Tom and Nancy sharing an emotional moment in which she says "there never has been a day when I haven't thought of you". Her last line emphasizes the emotional and possibly romantic bond that the two share, even after so much time has passed.... Sarah Orne Jewett (September 3, 1849 - June 24, 1909) was an American novelist, short story writer and poet, best known for her local color works set along or near the southern seacoast of Maine. Jewett is recognized as an important practitioner of American literary regionalism....
