How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
Much Evangeline wept at the tale, and to know that another
Hapless heart like her own had loved and had been disappointed.
Moved to the depths of her soul by pity and woman's compassion,
Yet in her sorrow pleased that one who had suffered was near her,
She in turn related her love and all its disasters. (1132-1136)
Evangeline's run-in with the Shawnee woman (we never get her name, sadly enough) is an interesting episode in this tale. The woman is a widow, Evangeline is separated from her husband, and so the two of them bond through their suffering. As the saying goes, "Misery loves company," so they're glad that they can suffer together instead of alone.
Quote #8
Thus many years she lived as a Sister of Mercy, frequenting
Lonely and wretched roofs in the crowded lanes of the city,
Where distress and want concealed themselves from the sunlight,
Where disease and sorrow in garrets languished neglected. (1288-1291)
What do you make of Evangeline's career move here? We think it makes a certain kind of sense. After all, she's pretty much an expert at suffering by the time she gets to Philadelphia. It makes sense to us that she would join the Sisters of Mercy and try to help others cope with their own suffering in turn.