This paper explains that Edna O'Brien's
descriptive writing style in the short story "Sister Imelda" is seen in her characterizations
of the narrator, her best friend Baba and the seductive but sad Sister Imelda herself and their various interpersonal conflicts. The author points out that O'Brien takes the reader inside the closed and remote world of an Irish Catholic convent school with its myriad rules, restrictions and joyless routines. The paper relates that the themes of the book are (1) Sister Imelda's
lesbianism, (2) honoring one's feelings even if doing so should disappoint others and (3) the importance of facing oneself and others with honesty and courage.