Author(s): Zhao Xin

Abstract: Sarah Orne Jewett’s The Country of the Pointed Firs redefines literary realism through a distinctly female perspective, transforming the geographical space of Dunnet Landing into a vessel for women’s experiences and memories. Through the lens of an unnamed female narrator, Jewett challenges the male-dominated realist tradition by intertwining landscape with female consciousness, intimacy, and community. The novel emphasizes women’s resilience and wisdom, particularly through characters like Almira Todd, who embody a deep connection to nature and serve as emotional and cultural pillars of their rural society. Male characters are marginalized, further highlighting women’s central roles in sustaining community life. Jewett blends detailed realism with poetic romanticism, exploring themes of memory, solitude, and human connection. Her narrative strategy expands the boundaries of realism by prioritizing inner emotional landscapes and the symbiotic relationship between people and place, offering a profound critique of gender and narrative authority while affirming the enduring power of female-centered storytelling.

Keywords: Sarah Orne Jewett; The Country of the Pointed Firs; geography; gender

Article Info: Received: 10 Nov 2025; Received in revised form: 03 Dec 2025; Accepted: 08 Dec 2025; Available online: 14 Dec 2025

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.106.53