To love and labor

To love and labor in their prime: Little Women. Louisa May Alcott. America, 1868 Nowadays, the topic of “feminism” is becoming more and more popular, paying more attention to female’s life and emotion. Nevertheless, early in 1868, there is a book, describing four girls’ life, focused on female’s education and choice. And I can bumptiously draw a conclusion that this book, Little women, is a growth bible for female especially girls. The story begins at the time when Mr. March join the war between the states, talking how the four girls of the March family overcome the hardships in their life and finally arrive at “the castles in the air”. Following the growth trajectory of four sisters, the audience will find that Margret become hardy, Jo’s short temper turn into softness, Beth learn to face death and Amy find something far more important than wealth. What a touchingly journey of life! What a wonderful educational story! As a girl, Little Women, a book targeted at girls, provoke my reflection of life and love. Considering the book describes the whole life of four girls, I think the main points of the book must be abundant. Among all the topics, its affection for female can’t be ignore. Without any doubt, this main point is closely related to the age it published and the experience of the author. Published in 1868, which has the fist wave of feminist movement, the book not only remains of traditional gender roles, but also shining with the brilliance of modern female thoughts. Well, this phenomenon will be obvious when we compare Little Women with Pride and Prejudice. For example, in Pride and Prejudice, marriage is the only right way, but in Little Women, the author calls on readers to show solicitude for spinsters. What’s more, Jane Austin showed a strong preference for the girls, but Louisa May Alcott respect every choices of the girls and encourage girls to pursue their ideals so as to achieve self-worth. Without the keenness of English humor, May cast a gentle and loving eye on the characters, so she gave them good endings. And this attitude also related to the main points, such as love, growth and life. As I read, I always laughed or burst into tears. This book is so realistic that I see the shadow of real life in it, but it also so idealized that it gives the optimal solution for life. What impress me most is that the death of Beth. The book presents the other side of death which is eternal motif of human beings. I can’t find another role who behaves like Beth among what I have read, for that dying for great undertakings is easy and being forced to die is painful. But Beth learns to accept it and even enjoys it, from which I learn a lot. What’s more, although harboring deep sorrow, everyone accompanied her with full happiness and love through the last journey of her life. This is a strong impact on my outlook on death. I can’t help remembering a sentence that Su Dongpo had written. That is “Life is like a journey, I am also a pedestrian”, just as Jo’s poem: “Four sister, parted for an hour,/None lost, only one gone before,/Made by love’s immortal power”. Only when we bravely face the truth that death is the destination of life, will we truly value our life. Death, poverty and sufferings are the deepest annotations of the March family’s love. Full of joy and sometimes sorrow, this story shows vicissitudes of life, depicting the most beautiful life of a group of ordinary people. Whereas, the artistic features of this book also deserve our attention. Compared to Pride and Prejudice, the narrative technique of Little women is more flexible. The author skillfully with letters, newspapers and dramas, which increases authenticity and displays kinds of literary style. Additionally, the book focus on the group portraits, showing the customs and insights into the lives of American people. This book not only is a documentary of that age, but also a superexcellent education books, for that life philosophy is contained in the short but vivid stories. It’s true that sometimes there might be little homily, but I can say it never annoying. The homily always like whisper, which always displays in heart-to-heart talks, rather than dominated order. “To love and labor in their prime.” Jo writes this sentence in her poem which is hinted at her. And this sentence also exposes the secret of Little Women, infecting and motivating generation and generation of readers. I will take this book as my “well-worn little book”, which never fade in my heart.