An Ode of Little Women
Little women is written by American author Louisa May Alcott. Set in a civil war in the United States in the 19th century, the semi-autobiographical novel tells the life trivia of an normal but warm family of four sisters. Since it is based on the author’s own experience, the novel is vivid and contagious. Strongly influenced by the great thinker Emerson, the novel highlights the concept of personal dignity and independence of self-discipline. The content is plain but delicate with simple structure, but it gains widespread popularity all over the world, especially among girls and women.
I love the warm family atmosphere. I’m deeply moved by the letter form their dad in the army. It wrote that, “Give them all of my dear love and a kiss. Tell them I think of them by day，pray for them by night and my best comfort in their affection at all times. A year seems very long to wait before I see them，but remind them that while we wait we may all work, so that these hard days need not be wasted. I know they will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little woman.” The father told his expectation gently, and gave the four girls utter trust and pure love. Another scene that touches me is that when Jo had a quarrel with Amy, the mother didn’t be biased to either one, and let the girls solve their problems. After Amy dropped in the frozen lake, Jo was very regretful and worried. When she told her mum that she hated herself because of bad temper and hurting others when irritated even though she loved her and knew it hurt, the mother hugged the girl and peacefully admitted that she herself used to be uncontrollable of her own temper. She encouraged the girl with her own story and didn’t view her past as a shame but peacefully accepted and took pains to change her defects. They maintained a rather equal position, and face their own defects frankly.
Of all the characters, I love Jo most. She never complained about life's hardness blindly，but again and again gathered the courage to confront with the test. She really appeared the weak side. Out of love for her father, she bravely cut off her hair and sold it in order to make some more money and let mum take to her father even though she treasured it very much and viewed it as the most satisfying part of her body. She headed for New York to pursue her dream of being a successful writer after refusing the proposal of her rich neighbor Laurie. She is a vibrant, optimistic girl with courage and strength. She could calmly face her life, know what she truly want and rationally make choice，and therefore she won the respect of people and succeeded in the literary creation.
What's more, I am moved by their deep friendship with the Lawrences. The Lawrences was much richer than the Marches, but their friendship was pure. They respect each other for noble characters and frankness. The Lawrences made friends with the Marches out of respect but not sympathy, and the Marches were never snobbish or felt inferior, and viewed them as equal. At that time, such friendship is precious and unique, and both sides treasured the friendship very much. The little shy girl Beth and the gentleman Mr Lawrence became cross-age friends. The Marches couldn’t afford a new piano, so Beth had to practice with the old and broken one. The old gentleman liked Beth very much because she reminded him of his little girl who had been passed away. Mr Lawrence was very considerate. He didn’t invite Beth directly, but pretended to be worried that piano would become useless without anyone playing. Considering Beth’s bashfulness, he also “inadvertenty” leaked out the time when there’s nobody at home so that Beth can play the piano unstrainedly. Beth was grateful and made Mr Lawrence a pair of comfortable slippers by her own in return. Mr Lawrence was deeply moved and gave Beth a little cabinet piano as a present. They are both fortunate to meet each other and heal each other.
As time lapsed, the essence of self-dignity, adamancy and independence of girls and women in the novel in 1868 is still shining and encouraging people now and th generations beyond.
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