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"A New England Nun" aims to contradict the major gender roles and boundaries during the 19th century. The story reflects Louisa Ellis's life in solitude, waiting for Joe Daggit to come back, and the ultimate decision she has to make between marrying Daggit or continuing her life in solitude without him. Women during the author's time were expected to be self-sacrificing and to put their responsibilities ahead of their personal happiness. (Glasser)

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While the majority of women during the 1800s actively searched for a husband and heavily relied on them for support, Louisa Ellis chose to live in solitude. She enjoyed living a basic, structured life by herself, and would get irked when her then husband, Joe Dagget, would enter the house, because he would always leave a trail of dirt and mess up the house. After she and Joe Dagget decided to part ways, Louisa's life became peaceful and enjoyable, and she was able to do the things she enjoyed for the rest of her life. Instead of depending on a man in order to live a good life like other women during this time, Louisa sought to become independent and live an enjoyable life on her own. (Glasser)

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"She gazed ahead through a long reach of future days strung together like pearls in a rosary, every one like the others, and all smooth and flawless and innocent, and her heart went up in thankfulness."

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Marriage was a very significant aspect of people's lives during the 19th century, and it was strange for a woman not to be married during this time. In "A New England Nun", Louisa Ellis has been living by herself for fourteen years, waiting for her husband to return. Louisa Ellis enjoys her time by herself and does not chase financial support from a man. She defies the gender norms during this time by being voluntarily independent (Glasser). Louisa continues to be independent even when her husband, Joe Dagget, returns from his trip.

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"For fourteen out of the fifteen years the two had not once seen each other, and they had seldom exchanged letters."