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Cover of Rena's experiment

Rena's experiment

Written by Mary Jane Holmes

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Domestic fictionNew EnglandMan-woman relationshipsImpostors and impostureWills

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About this book

"Rena's Experiment" by Mary J. Holmes is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Rena, along with her cousin Irene Burdick, as they travel to Oakfield for the summer, entangled in a peculiar inheritance arrangement involving marriage due to a quirky will left by Sandy McPherson. The narrative unfolds as Rena grapples with her feelings about the charmed well reputed to reveal one's future partner, while also navigating her relationship with her charming but proud cousin and potential suitors. The beginning of the novel introduces the characters and setting with a lively, rich backdrop of rural New England. We meet Rena and Irene, who are preparing to stay at Mrs. Parks' boarding house, and learn about the local folklore regarding Nannie's Well, which supposedly holds the key to one's future love. Sam Walker, who becomes an important figure in the unfolding story, adds a layer of local charm. The opening hints at a deepening romantic subplot involving the cousins and their interactions with the wealthy Reginald Travers, while also foreshadowing the complexities of relationships influenced by unexpected circumstances and the legacies of past generations.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Rena's experiment, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • romantic
  • charming
  • sentimental

Mary J. Holmes's "Rena's Experiment" is an early 20th-century novel set in rural New England, where cousins Rena and Irene Burdick spend a summer in Oakfield. Their stay is complicated by a peculiar inheritance from Sandy McPherson, which mandates marriage for a substantial fortune, forcing Rena to confront her feelings and future. The narrative explores the local folklore of Nannie's Well, rumored to reveal one's true love, intertwining themes of fate, free will, and societal expectations. As Rena navigates her relationship with her proud cousin and charming suitors like Reginald Travers and Sam Walker, she grapples with love, duty, and self-discovery amidst a backdrop of picturesque rural life. The story ultimately unfolds as a romantic subplot influenced by unexpected circumstances and the legacies of past generations.

“"The heart, Rena, has a language all its own, often quite different from the dictates of a will or the whispers of a charmed well."”

Key themes

Love vs. Duty/Financial Security
This is the central theme, driven by Sandy McPherson's will. Rena is forced to confront whether she will marry for the substantial inheritance and the security it offers, or if she will follow her heart and choose a partner based on genuine affection, potentially sacrificing financial gain. The theme explores the societal pressures on young women to make advantageous matches versus the romantic ideal of marrying for love.
Fate vs. Free Will
This theme is personified by the folklore surrounding Nannie's Well, which supposedly reveals one's future partner. Rena's fascination with the well, combined with the predetermined nature of the inheritance, forces her to question how much of her life is destined and how much is within her control. The 'experiment' of the title hints at this exploration.
Societal Expectations and Female Agency
The novel subtly explores the limited choices available to women in the early 20th century, particularly regarding marriage as a primary means of security and social standing. Rena's struggle to define her own happiness and make her own decisions within these constraints highlights the emerging (or suppressed) female agency of the period.

Worth discussing

How does the concept of Nannie's Well explore the tension between fate and free will in Rena's choices?

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