At some point in the middle of July, I ran out of books to read. I had lost my faith in the library, so I had to find a book at home to read. Which brings me to a little flashback: in 6th grade, I received Little Women as a Christmas gift from a friend. I started to read it then and thought it was stupid. Despite that, I have kept it all these years, through a move across the country and many cleanings out when many books were sent to DI. I probably kept it because it is the only hardback book that I have. (I'm too cheap to buy anything other than paperback for the most part).
Anyway, back to the present. I started reading Little Women and loved it! It's such a sweet story with a moral or two included in every chapter. I found myself hoping to become a mother like Marmee. I hope I can one day have that kind of wisdom and patience.
The setting and context is a little idyllic. It's set during the Civil War (in the North). But the horrors and realities of war on American soil (other than the father becoming ill) do not make their way into the story. Perhaps I'm just used to reading Civil War-era literature from the Southern perspective.
While it is a simple story and easy to read, I really enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who has not read it! I intend to watch the movie soon and compare the two!
Some of my favorite quotations:
"'You have only made the mistake that most young wives make,--forgotten your duty to your husband in your love for your children. A very natural and forgivable mistake, Meg, but one that had better by remedied before you take to different ways; for children should draw you nearer than ever, not separate you, as if they were all yours, and John had nothing to do but support them...Besides, you owe something to John as well as to the babies; don't neglect husband for children, don't shut him out of the nursery, but teach him how to help in it. His place is there as well as yours, and the children need him; let him feel that he has his part to do, and he will do it gladly and faithfully, and it will be better for you all." (Marmee to Meg in chapter 38, p 308-309). Such good advice!
"How well we pull together, don't we?" said Amy.
"So well that I wish we might always pull in the same boat. Will you Amy?" very tenderly.
(Conversation between Amy and Laurie in chapter 41, p 339).
P.S. My faith in the library has since returned!
It IS a great book. Glad you rediscovered it. The movie is great too. I show it in my English classes sometimes. It touches on Transcendentalism and other literary trends from the time period.
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