Comment on Language and Meaning

Much of the language of Mercy House tends to be formal but accessible. Since the majority of the book is narrated in third-person close, there is a formality to it, since it is formally separated from the characters in a way a first person narration is not. However, the narration sometimes dips into Evelyn’s thoughts, and in doing so it dips into her language. Evelyn takes great pleasure in snapping people out of their ideas of nuns with her crass, blue-collar-influenced kind of speak. That speak, however, is not for show. On the second page of the book, Evelyn thinks to herself “But you, Mother Superior? You can kiss my fat Irish ass.” This casualness, and unexpected rudeness to Evelyn’s language makes for many scenes of entertainment. It also allows the reader to feel a closeness with Evelyn they might not feel otherwise. Despite the popular idea of nuns as austere, stern figures, Evelyn and the other sisters come across as women who all have different but fully formed personalities.