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. Despite the lack of relation between the characters in each story, a common theme runs through the collection: nostalgia for the past and/or a need for revival of tradition.
Publishing history
The Life of Nancy was first published in The Atlantic in February 1895.Jewett, Sarah Orne, 'The Life of Nancy' in The Atlantic 75: 175-187 It was later collected and published as a book, entitled The Life of Nancy, by Houghton-Mifflin in 1895. "The Life of Nancy" (short story within the collection) was published as an article in The Nation on February 27, 1896.Jewett, Sarah Orne, "The Life of Nancy" in The Nation 62: 181. "Fame’s Little Day" was published in Harper's Magazine, March 1895.Jewett, Sarah Orne, "Fame's Little Day" in Harper's New Monthly Magazine 90: 560-565. "A War Debt" was published in Harper’s Magazine in January 1895.Jewett, Sarah Orne, "A War Debt" in Harper's New Monthly Magazine 90 227-237. "The Hilton’s Holiday" was published in The Century Magazine in September 1893Jewett, Sarah Orne, "The Hilton's Holiday" in The Century Magazine 24: 772-8. "The Guests of Mrs. Timms" was published in The Century Magazine in February 1894.Jewett, Sarah Orne, "The Guests of Mrs. Timms" in The Century Magazine 47: 575-581. "A Neighbor’s Landmark" was published in The Century Magazine in December 1894.Jewett, Sarah Orne, in The Century Magazine 49: 235-242. "All My Sad Captains" was published in The Century Magazine in September 1895.Jewett, Sarah Orne, "All My Sad Captains" in The Century Magazine 50: 736-748.
Critical reception
On its release, The Life of Nancy was extremely well received. It drew positive reviews in numerous journals, papers and magazines including The Nation, The Atlantic, The Atlantic Monthly, The Daily Picayune, and The Chautauquan.Sarah Orne Jewett Text Project In The Atlantic Monthly, Horace Scudder wrote: "Miss Jewett never quite parts with that air of fine breeding which gives grace and beauty to her work, and makes her characters the objects of a compassion born of fuller knowledge than they possess of themselves."Scudder, Horace, "Half a Dozen Stories" in The Atlantic 76 (October 1895): 456
Plot summaries and character descriptions
"The Life of Nancy"
Characters
Tom Aldis: He was raised in Boston by wealthy parents. He has a worldly perspective and travels to Europe for extended periods of time with his wife and children. He is the male protagonist of this story.
Nancy Gale: A resident of East Rodney, Maine, a fictional setting in the story. She spent almost the entirety of her life in this small coastal town (a kind of local celebrity). Nancy is known for her beauty, humility and charm, and enjoys to dance.
Mr. Gale: Nancy’s father. He spends his life taking care of her once she is ill.
Uncle Ezra: Nancy’s uncle who lives four miles outside the city of Boston on a farm with his wife. He is a hard working, stern older man. He carries a lot of affection for his niece. He hosts Nancy when she visits Boston.
Mr. Daniel Carew: Tom Aldis’ friend who hurts his ankle while the two are in East Rodney, Maine. We never hear him speak.
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. "Fame’s Little Day"
Characters Mr. Abel Pinkham: male protagonist of this story. He is the owner and founder of Pinkham Maple Sugar Company in Vermont. He feels extremely attached to his life in the countryside of Vermont.
Mrs. Mary- Ann Pinkham: Wife of Abel Pinkham, fond of cooking, life in the countryside, and well to do but humble.
Mr. Fitch: Well off business partner of Mr. Abel Pinkham and resident of New Jersey with his wife. He has a reputation for being an honest businessman and an extremely loyal friend.
Plot Summary: This story is much shorter than the first. It begins with a short description of why Mr. Pinkham’s visit to New York City was featured in the newspaper by a particular reporter. The story then focuses on the rest of Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham’s business trip to New York City. The two stay in an extremely fancy hotel. They do not have friends in the city and are very uncomfortable with the noise and fast-paced nature of city life. They soon find out that they have been featured in the Tribune newspaper, which brings both of them extreme joy and pride. Mrs. Pinkham decides to cut out the article and send it to her daughter, Sarah.
In the second chapter of the story, Mr. Pinkham partakes in a business deal with Mr. Fitch. Mr. Fitch purchases a very large order of Maple Sugar (as he knows Mr. Pinkham’s product is the best). The two men share a quick exchange about the various papers that Mr. Pinkham and his wife are featured in. Mr. Fitch jokes that he is in such prestigious company. Later than day Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham go to purchase the several newspapers that in which the two are discussed- they find that one newspaper even created a fake interview with Mr. Pinkham and a reporter. Mr. Pinkham wants to take his wife to the circus, but she fears that it is not dignified enough for the two of them to be scene there. She is slightly embarrassed by her out of season clothing, but her husband reassures her that she is beautiful. He decides that they should to spend their hard-earned money in any way that they choose, so they hire a carriage to take them around (despite protests from Mrs. Pinkham for the two to take the cheaper route).
The final chapter of this story takes place in the Ethan Allen Hotel in which the elderly couple is staying in New York City. The two lament just how wonderful the city is and how much flattery they have received throughout their stay. Shortly after, the original reporter who wrote about them in the paper greets them at the door of their hotel. He does not introduce himself, but rather bows to them out of respect. He is intimidated by their new exuding self-confidence and decides not to ask Mr. Pinkham to speak at a business venture the next day. Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham decide that this man was of no consequence- they have become extremely egotistical.
"A War Debt"
Characters
Tom Burton: The male protagonist of the story. Lost both of his parents at a very young age and was raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Burton. He enjoys traveling and frequently takes extremely long trips.
Mrs. Burton: The sole family member of Tom Burton, she lives in Boston during the winter.
Dennis: Works for Tom and Mrs. Burton at their home in Boston.
Mr. Bellamy: elder plantation owner in Virginia. Lives with Wife, Mrs. Bellamy on their worn down plantation in Virginia. Went to Harvard with Tom Burton’s grandfather.
Mrs. Bellamy: Mr. Bellamy’s wife. She is crippled and unable to walk.
Plot Summary
The first chapter of this story begins with Tom Burton on a walk in Boston. He thinks of how it is too early in the winter season to have moved to the city, but his grandmother is stuck in her old ways. She is his only living family and he loves her dearly. He has recently returned from a three-year trip to find his grandmother much older and dependent on him. He is now living with her in Boston with no plans to take any long-term vacations in the near future. He then goes to have tea with her and the two enjoy a day of gossip, tea and food.
The Second chapter of this story continues with Tom and his grandmother eating dinner. The two discuss their days and enjoy one another’s company. As soon as Dennis, their servant leaves the room Tom’s grandmother rushes to a secret cabinet to show Dennis a piece of silverware. Tom is confused by her impatient/nervous demeanor but follows her nevertheless. She pulls out a silver cup with two handles and tells Tom that it was stolen during the war. She says that her father purchased it from someone who had taken it from the rubble of someone’s home in Virginia. She laments that she has been struggling with feelings of guilt since she received it from Tom’s father - who we learned died shortly after purchasing the cup along with Tom’s mother. She asks Tom to return it to its rightful owner. Tom accepts the challenge to travel to Virginia to find the family to which the cup belongs. His only clue is the crest that is on the cup, which reads “Je vous en prie Bellamy!”. He learns that it belongs to the Bellamy’s, a once very wealthy and powerful Virginian family. He begins to plan for his trip.
The third, and shortest, chapter of this story gives a short description of the train ride that Tom takes to Virginia. He is upset by the lack of order that exists between White and Black people on the train. Upon arrival he immediately notices a beautiful girl speaking with her friends. He becomes slightly infatuated with her and they make eye contact while he listens to her and her friends discuss the upcoming horse races.