Old Woman Magoun by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
"Old Woman Magoun" is a poignant short story by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman that delves into themes of familial loyalty, societal expectations, and the struggles of a grandmother raising her granddaughter in a small village. The narrative centers on Old Woman Magoun, a resilient matriarch who has dedicated her life to raising her granddaughter, Lily Barry, after losing her daughter shortly after childbirth. Living in the hamlet of Barry's Ford, Old Woman Magoun is portrayed as a strong, independent woman who exerts influence in her community, notably in the construction of a bridge, while also grappling with her disdain for the local men's reliance on alcohol and tobacco.
The story explores the complexities of Old Woman Magoun's relationship with Lily, who remains sheltered and innocent in the face of external influences. Tension escalates when Lily’s estranged father, Nelson Barry, expresses his desire to claim her, underscoring the threats that familial and societal dynamics pose to their bond. As the plot unfolds, a tragic turn of events occurs, leading to Lily's untimely demise, which Old Woman Magoun lovingly prepares for by speaking of a hopeful future in Heaven. Through rich symbolism and emotional depth, Freeman captures the profound effects of love, loss, and the lengths to which a grandmother will go to protect her granddaughter from a troubled legacy.
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Old Woman Magoun by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
First published: 1909
Type of plot: Regional
Time of work: About 1900
Locale: A New England hamlet called Barry's Ford
Principal Characters:
Old Woman Magoun , the protagonistLily Barry , her young granddaughterSally Jinks , her friendNelson Barry , Lily's father, the last and worst of a good old familyIsabel , Nelson's half-witted sisterJim Willis , Nelson's friendLawyer Mason , who is consulted by MagounMrs. Mason , the lawyer's wife
The Story
Old Woman Magoun is a poor but powerful citizen of the small hamlet of Barry's Ford, as can be seen when she influences the men of the village to build a bridge across the Barry River. A hard worker herself, she has little respect for men or for their dependence on alcohol and tobacco. As she explains to her friend Sally Jinks, "I've worked all my life and never done nuther."
Old Woman Magoun has lived alone with her granddaughter Lily Barry since the death of Lily's mother a week after Lily was born, nearly fourteen years ago. Lily's father is Nelson Barry, who lives with his half-witted sister, Isabel, but spends most of his time at the village store leading the "shiftless" element of the village. He has taken no interest in his daughter in the past, and local rumor has questioned whether Lily is legitimately his daughter, as Old Woman Magoun claims.
As the story opens, Old Woman Magoun and Sally Jinks are preparing roast pig for the men building the bridge. Because she is tired, Old Woman Magoun sends Lily to the store for some salt. Lily is youthful for her age, still carrying a rag doll wherever she goes, and her grandmother has kept her from the store whenever possible in the past. On this trip, Lily is joined by a handsome man who takes her hand and asks her about her family. At first Lily likes the attention, but when he asks her age she becomes wary and pulls her hand away.
At the store, Lily sees her father, who uncharacteristically talks to her and buys her candy. He clearly knows the handsome man, who is Jim Willis. When she returns home with the candy, Lily is questioned closely by her grandmother, who is very upset by what she learns and sends Lily to her room. "When be you goin' to let that girl grow up?" Sally asks her before the workmen come in for their dinner.
After Lily and the men have been fed and Lily is sleeping, Old Woman Magoun is interrupted by a visit from Nelson Barry. He announces that he is ready to claim Lily and to take her to live with him and Isabel. When he mentions the name of Jim Willis, Old Woman Magoun guesses that he has lost to Jim at cards and is claiming Lily to pay the debt. Barry's embarrassed reaction to her explanation convinces her, but he reminds her that he can take what he wants. He promises to return in a week for Lily.
The next morning, Old Woman Magoun and Lily walk to Greenham, three miles across the bridge, so that the grandmother can speak to Lawyer Mason. Along the way Lily admires some berries, part of which are blackberries and part of which are poisonous nightshade. "You can't have any now," Old Woman Magoun explains as they go on.
While her grandmother speaks with the lawyer, his wife entertains Lily with sour apples and milk. Old Woman Magoun admonishes her for upsetting Lily's stomach. After they leave, Lawyer Mason reveals that the grandmother offered Lily for adoption, but though his wife is grieving for a lost daughter he is not willing to adopt Nelson Barry's child.
As they walk home, Lily once more admires the berries, and her grandmother stops long enough for Lily to eat some of them. Before they reach home Lily feels the effects of the poison and sickens steadily. When Sally Jinks visits, however, Lily blames the sour apples and milk, and the rumor spreads even to Barry and Willis. As Lily worsens, her grandmother describes for her the beauties of her future with her mother in Heaven, and by the time Barry comes to take her away, Lily is beyond help. After Lily's death, Old Woman Magoun continues to work hard but begins to carry Lily's rag doll whenever she crosses the bridge to sell her goods in Greenham.