Of the Obedient Dead Nun
The narrative unfolds in a convent known for its prosperity and the piety of its nuns, particularly focusing on a nun named Teresa Ysabel de Villavicencio. After a heartbreak, she enters the convent, where her devoutness and obedience earn her the admiration of the Mother Superior and her peers. As preparations for the festival of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe commence, Teresa prophesies her imminent death, which occurs without any apparent illness. Due to the festival's urgency, her burial is scheduled for the same night. However, complications arise when the coffin, presumably mismeasured, proves too short for her tall frame, leaving her feet protruding. In a state of panic, the nuns seek a solution. An experienced nun suggests invoking Teresa's lifelong obedience, proposing that a command be issued to her even in death. The Mother Superior solemnly commands Teresa to fit into her coffin, appealing to her vow of obedience. Miraculously, Teresa begins to shrink, conforming perfectly to the coffin's dimensions. This act not only resolves the immediate crisis but also reinforces her legacy of humility and obedience. The nuns proceed to bury her in the choir, where her remains rest, solidifying her status as a figure of holiness and a testament to the power of faith and obedience. The story highlights themes of devotion, the miraculous, and the intersection of life and death within a religious context.
By Thomas A. Janvier · First published 1896 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy · 1,391 words
First lines
It was after she was dead, Senor, that this nun did what she was told to do by the Mother Superior, and that is why it was a miracle. Also, it proved her goodness and her holiness -- though, to be sure, there was no need for her to take the trouble to prove those matters, because everybody knew about them before she died.
What this Textopian page supports
Of the Obedient Dead Nun is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas A. Janvier, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas A. Janvier
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Short Story, Humor
- Length: 1,391 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Of the Obedient Dead Nun by Thomas A. Janvier
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Inquisitor by Hugh Walpole
- Of The Accursed Bell by Thomas A. Janvier
- A Strange Story by Edward Bulwer Lytton
- The Widows Clock by Bernard Capes
- Thy Neighbour As Thyself by Edgar Wallace
- The Tragedy Of The Silver Moon by Arthur Gask
Genres
- Religious Fiction — The story revolves around a nun and explores themes of faith, obedience, and miracles within a religious context.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical period, the narrative reflects the customs and societal norms of convent life in the past.
- Fantasy — The miraculous event of a dead nun obeying a command and physically shrinking introduces elements of fantasy.
- Short Story — The work is concise and presents a singular narrative arc typical of short stories.
Tags
mystery · crime · suspense · religion · nun · death · obedience · investigation · gothic · dark · moral dilemmas · secrets