Literary Analysis Luella Miller

There has been a flood of folklore and popular myth on the subject of supernatural beings capable of sucking the life out of their victims. One can find a mention of these creatures throughout the centuries. From a Succubus in the Bible to the Vampires of today’s Twilight Sagas, the short story “Luella Miller” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman is no different. This story, unlike many other tails, did not just come out and say that the creature was present for sure; it more or less hinted to it possible existences. Also the hypnotic state that the victims were in brings the reader to believe that something unnatural is at hand. With a closer look through the eyes of our narrator, Lydia Anderson, we can …show more content…

Amongst Luella’s first victims was her sister-in-law, Lily Miller. She was still young and radiant before she went to live with Luella but soon after, the text states that Lily’s health began to decline and she lost her radiance and beauty in a very short time. (Luella Miller p128) However, even with her declining health and loss of youthfulness, Lily Miller was still very devoted to her sister as evidenced in the text, “She was devoted to her sister; and there was no doubt that she loved her with her whole heart, and was perfectly content in her service. It was her sole anxiety lest she should die and leave her alone. Here the writer illustrates how the hypnotic spell that Luella places over her victims, causes them to place Luella’s well-being over their very natural will to survive. Another example of Luella’s hypnotic powers appears when individual after individual, knowingly sacrificed their health and well –being, as well their life for the sake of helping Luella.. For example, Aunt Abby was determined to help Luella in spite of her failing health. Even after the heartfelt persuasion of her married daughter Mrs. Sam Abbot, begging her mother to leave Luella’s house immediately and come visit her, Aunt Abby would not go. Then even after Mrs. Sam Abbot came to Luella to beg her mother to leave face to face,