The Lady of the Decoration

"The Lady of the Decoration" by Frances Little is a story about a young woman from Kentucky who lost her husband and decides to go to Japan and become a teacher. Written as a series of letters to her cousin, it shares her thoughts about the past, her new experiences, and how difficult it is to adjust to a different society. At the beginning, the protagonist is worried but excited about traveling to Japan. She is sad about her loss, misses home, and isn't sure about what will happen next. Her letters reveal her internal struggle with her past and what people expect from her as a missionary. As the story begins, she writes about her trip on the ship, the people she meets, and the challenges of starting her new job in Japan. Through her funny and honest descriptions, readers learn about her personality and the historical context of her experiences as a foreigner trying to navigate a new world.