Prospects for the Study of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

Abstract

Freeman studies flourished in the 1970s through the 1990s, and many rely on the ground-breaking work from that era. But Freeman studies has continued to develop. New interpretations of perennial favourite short stories have appeared, undiscovered texts have been brought to light, different contexts have been pinpointed, and fresh outlooks on feminist questions have been staked out. Scholars interested in reading Freeman will benefit from combining a focus on the heyday with a focus on new developments. These have included a more critical examination of female bonds, the Gothic, the criminal, naturalism, materialism, and ecocriticism. After reviewing recent bibliographical and textual studies of Freeman and these critical developments, the essay urges more focus on Freeman’s novels and considers future directions Freeman studies might take.