Let me make a reservation right away that I haven’t read the book; I’m sharing my impressions specifically about the film. I've heard a lot good reviews, so I decided to watch it. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the film, although I was only in the mood for pleasant emotions.
First, what I liked about the film: costumes, music, acting (with the exception of the grown-up younger sister), camera work everything is quite good high level. So what's wrong? From the very beginning, I was haunted by the feeling of the implausibility of the characters’ characters, the illogicality of their actions and, I would even say, pretense.
Many wrote rave reviews about the high moral qualities of the heroines, their kindness, etc. Personally, I didn’t see any of this. For example, I was extremely outraged by their consumerist attitude towards their rich relative. The aunt gave them the opportunity to earn money, which at that time was rare luck (at the same time, they did not overwork themselves), and their relatives did nothing but ridicule her, condemn her way of life, etc., while without a twinge of conscience they decided who will go abroad at her expense. When she left an inheritance (a very good inheritance) to one of the sisters who really needed it and whose prospects were rather vague, which suggests that the aunt was thinking about the future of her nieces, I did not hear a word of gratitude addressed to her. The women were again unhappy and found a reason to condemn their benefactress. Precisely a benefactor, because even though they didn’t want to borrow money from her, they calmly used her money she gave them a job, they sent their younger sister to her so that Amy wouldn’t get sick, Amy lived abroad at her expense and that’s all you won't be able to please them anyway. Simply amazing kindness of a woman!
It’s also hard to believe in the enormous maternal and sisterly love. The mother leaves her daughters and goes to her father, who is in the hospital and, in theory, is being looked after there anyway. Emmy does not come to her terminally ill sister and to the funeral, because she is waiting for her aunt to die and leave an inheritance. At the same time, she finds time to quickly get married and does not notify any of her relatives. Good sisterly love!
I got the impression that they also helped their neighbors in order to once again show that others live even worse and poorer, so things are not so bad for them themselves. The only one who did it from the heart, Beth, paid for her kindness.
I agree with those who divide the film into two halves. Laurie's love for Jo was pure, bright, sincere, there really was some kind of connection between them, but in the finale it was all wasted. I got the impression that Jo refused Laurie precisely because she was sure that he would never stop loving her. She kept it as a reserve if things didn't work out with her grandiose plans. When trouble happened, the first person she immediately turned to was Laurie, who immediately rushed to help. His whole mistake was that he had little admiration for Joe’s talent, so it went to some bad philosopher. If Laurie had more colorfully described how he would help Jo in her career, there would have been no refusal. And even more so, it is not clear how he could fall in love with the most spoiled, capricious, selfish and calculating sister (she said from childhood that she would only marry a rich man). As if with this marriage he wanted to bring back the happy times of childhood and his former self.
In general, such a sweet family appeared before me, and I still did not understand why Laurie always dreamed of being part of it.
Unfortunately, I still have exactly the same impressions of the film, so I will not review it, despite the amazing performance of Christian Bale (one of my favorite actors) and, moreover, I have no desire to read the book. I 100% agree with the author of the review, who says that this story sounds like an inept take on Jane Austen.
For Christian Bale -
I first heard about this book in a famous TV series, but somehow didn’t pay attention. But then I came across it and decided to find out what it was about. And to be honest, this book may have been relevant and instructive at one time, but now, in my opinion, it is not particularly relevant and useful. But if you close your eyes to the “training” component, then everything is not so bad.
America, the war between North and South. The father of the March family went off to fight, leaving his wife and four daughters to survive as best they could. The mother of the family is a pious woman, and tries with all her might to instill in the girls all those qualities that she considers virtuous. The right girl should be calm, not show emotions, be modest and so on... “Don’t be discouraged and don’t get angry, but just do your duty, and you will receive a reward” - that’s all. For me, a girl living in the 21st century, this sounds at least strange.
The sisters themselves were more interesting than the mother. Meg is the eldest, dreams of wealth and beautiful outfits, but at the same time very economical and flexible. Overall, a typical girl, not the nicest, but not bad either. Jo is just a year younger than Meg, her complete opposite. Active, intelligent, a little masculine, and the only one of all the sisters who is not afraid to seem strange. But she is the anti-role model, and it is precisely these qualities that girls of that time must eradicate in themselves. And it was precisely because of these qualities that I liked her (surprisingly). Next comes Bess, the most incomprehensible sister for me, because she seems too ideal - modest, quiet, talented, pious, loved by everyone, well, just an angel, not a girl. It seems that she is the one who is presented as an example to follow, but she was not interesting to me. And the youngest, Amy, is narcissistic, selfish, and fickle. She irritated me terribly, and at least here she agreed with the author.
The plot itself is written more for the sake of teaching than for the sake of anything else. In almost every chapter, the sisters face a problem; at the end of the chapter, the mother gives them instructions. Moreover, many of these “lessons” told me how to modern man, seem very irrelevant. Just look at the teachings on the topic of marriage, one from the mother, the other from one relative (yes, completely different, but both strange for today's reality):
"To be loved good man and becoming his chosen one is the best and most pleasant thing that can happen in a woman’s life..”
"You must marry well and help your family; it is your duty to find a rich man, and you should realize this."
No, I understand that it may have been correct then, but not today.
And one more minus - there was too much “sugar” in the book. Despite all the problems, suffering, torment, the book still seems to be saturated with sweetness. I don’t know how to explain it, but this feeling did not leave me throughout the book.
But I liked the story of Joe and Laurie, but it would have been much better if there had not been constant attempts to make Joe mediocre. And having learned what will happen to them in the second part, which I am not going to read, I was even more disappointed. Well, why is this happening to them...
Well, I guess it was wonderful work for 19th century girls, but honestly it's not a book I would recommend modern girl. Still, today not all the qualities described in the book will be relevant. And it is precisely because of this that the overall impression was mixed, and this is definitely not something that I will ever re-read.
The first part of the novel was published in 1868, the second a year later. The book tells the story of the four March sisters growing up during the American Civil War.; about their first love, hopes, mutual assistance, the formation of their worldview, failures and mistakes.
The work immediately became popular and is still considered the most famous novel for young people in the United States. Throughout the 20th century, it underwent several film adaptations; plays were created based on the book, an opera was written, and cartoons were released.
Briefly about the author
Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832 in Philadelphia. She was the second child in the family; in total, the Alcott couple had four children, girls. The writer's father, Amos Bronson, belonged to a philosophical and literary movement called transcendentalism.
The radical views of the head of the family influenced the formation of the worldview of young Louise. Her mother was also active political activity, joining the women's suffrage movement as a suffragette.
Amos even tried to organize an experimental school, but failed. After closing educational institution the family moved to Massachusetts, where they joined the utopian settlement. Louise's father taught her to read and write. It is not surprising that in such a family the children were extraordinary personalities.
The writer herself became a follower of feminism. She wrote down her memories of her years in the settlement in the book Transcendental Wild Oats. By the way, she began writing fairy tales, plays, and short stories very early. In the book "Little Women" Louisa Alcott took many episodes from her life, because she also had three sisters.
The writer knew the Civil War firsthand. During the fighting, she worked as a nurse in a military hospital. The letters she sent to relatives formed the basis of her first book, which readers liked, but not as much as the novel Little Women. Alcott died on March 6, 1888.
Louise began writing a book for teenagers at the request of a publisher from Boston, who asked her to write something “for girls.” The writer based her work on the story of her family. . The older sister Anna became the prototype of Meg, she portrayed herself in the image of Joe, although unlike the heroine of the book, she was never married.
The younger sisters Elizabeth and May are expressed in literary characters Beth and Amy. The popularity of the work was so deafening that it prompted Louise to continue the novel. Alcott's subsequent books, Joe's Boys, echo storyline novel.
The March family lives in the small town of Concord. The country is in full swing Civil war, but the four sisters Meg, Joe, Beth and Amy did not encounter the horrors of military action, because they live in the North of the United States, and the war is being waged in the South.
However, its echoes are felt by everyone. The March family has lost their breadwinner - their father, who serves as a regimental chaplain. In addition, they suffered poverty due to unsuccessfully invested money by the head of the family in an enterprise that went bankrupt.
The prosperous past sadly reminds us of better days. Now they are forced to lead a simple lifestyle, which is humiliating for their circle . Constant lack of money causes mental suffering. The novel describes only a year in the girls' lives, but during this time they will experience a lot.
They will meet a young neighbor, Lori, who will become a family friend and strengthen them. Also, the sisters themselves will become support and support for each other; they will have to fight negative character traits and learn life lessons.
Main characters
- Meg. The eldest of the sisters and the most beautiful . She has a kind, refined nature and cares about the good reputation of her family. However, Meg also has bad traits. She is burdened by poverty, she dreams of getting into high society to shine in beautiful outfits. Over time, the girl realizes that happiness does not come from money.
- Joe. The second sister is a year younger than the eldest. She is fifteen years old. Jo regrets not being born a boy . Climbing trees, running, skating, playing with boys gives her greater joy than women's conversations. The girl writes stories and dreams of becoming a writer.
- Beth. Apart from his angelic character, he is no different. . Because of her timid nature, it is difficult for her to get along with people. She doesn't have ambitions like the other sisters. The joy and meaning of life for her lies in the happiness of her family. She is ready to sacrifice everything for others.
- Amy. The youngest sister is the most spoiled . She has a pretty face and is proud of it. Selfishness, hot temper and vanity are her second nature. However, good upbringing forces the girl to constantly restrain herself. Amy dreams of becoming an artist.
Why should you read the novel "Little Women"?
- The book shows not only positive traits character of the main characters, but also negative ones, which allows the younger generation to draw conclusions and correct mistakes .
- Both adults and children will learn from the work to understand what are good deeds . This is well illustrated by the sisters and other characters.
- Unlike other books that force you to lead a luxurious lifestyle, Louise Alcott's novel "Little Women" teaches you to find joy in a simple, honest life .
- Reading a book, you feel peace and tranquility. She is like a summer breeze, refreshing and beneficial. .
- The work is not only instructive, but also funny. Funny, touching stories always happen to sisters which are best remembered.
Where can I read the book?
Perhaps the name of the American writer Louisa May Alcott is not as widely known in Russia compared to the names and works of such famous women writers as Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte or Margaret Mitchell. However, in America, and then throughout the world, Alcott quickly won the love of readers, primarily thanks to her novel Little Women, which still remains one of the most popular “books for girls.”
Throughout the 20th century, the book underwent several film adaptations, the most successful and striking of which was the version directed by Gillian Armstrong, filmed in 1994 with the participation of talented young actresses such as Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Kristen Dunst, Claire Danes, as well as Susan Sarandon and etc.
Little Women is the story of four sisters coming of age during and after the Civil War.
XIX century. Small American town. Christmas Eve. Mrs. March sits by the fireplace, surrounded by her four daughters, reading a letter... For Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy and their mother, this is the first Christmas they celebrate without their father - at this time he is fighting at the front. But, despite all the difficulties of the war period, constant lack of money, illness, the March family tries to maintain good spirits and support each other in everything. The sisters work, study, help their mother around the house, stage family plays, write literary newspaper. Soon they accept another member into their company - Lori - rich and bored young man, who lives next door and who becomes a close friend of the whole family.
Each of the March sisters has their own character, their own dreams, interests and ambitions. But let’s not idealize them - each has its own shortcomings, bad inclinations that they have to overcome.
Thus, the main vices of Meg, the eldest and prettiest of the sisters, are vanity and love of money. She dreams of getting into high society and suffers from her poverty. But, having once tried on the “dress” of a social coquette, which turned out to be completely unbecoming to her, and, having gone through the pangs of shame for her behavior, she learns a simple truth - “money does not buy happiness.”
The central character of the book and film is Jo's second-eldest sister, a real tomboy in a skirt. She is cramped within the stereotypical behavior of an ordinary girl. Her main passion is literature, and she dreams of becoming famous writer. Because of her hot temper and straightforwardness, she often finds herself in unpleasant situations, but thanks to her mother’s wise advice, she manages to soften her violent temperament.
Beth is quiet and timid, and of all the sisters she has the least drive and ambition. All her joys are within the confines of her home and family hearth. “There are many such Bess in the world, timid, quiet, sitting in their corners and living for others so joyfully that no one notices their self-sacrifice until the little cricket behind the stove stops chirping and the presence of something sweet, sunny ends, leaving Behind me there is only shadow and silence.”
Younger Amy dreams of becoming an artist. She is the most spoiled, prone to selfishness and vanity, and she too has to learn some life lessons.
As the March sisters grow up, they become “little women” and each of them (except for Beth - a different fate is prepared for her) sooner or later faces one of the most important questions in the girl’s fate - the question of marriage. Everyone has a choice to make. Will it be correct? What will the March sisters choose - wealth and comfort or loyalty to their hearts and sincere love?
There are no big incidents or events in Little Women. sharp turns events. This is a film about small tragedies and small joys ordinary family. But behind the simple plot lie very valuable moral lessons.
Film and more to a greater extent The book could be excellent material for educating the younger generation, and adults could borrow some of Mrs. March's methods. A loving mother not only gives her children instructions and reads morals, she allows her daughters to learn from their own mistakes, but at the same time is always there to support, warn and give simple but wise advice. It is through the wisdom of their mother that the March sisters learn the cardinal virtues. They learn to forgive and care for each other, to help and share the latter with others, despite their own poverty, to resist modern mores and not succumb to the temptations of the world, to see their own shortcomings and fight them (“..you must carefully monitor your “inner enemy” ",<…>otherwise this enemy may darken, if not ruin, your life." They learn that modesty is an adornment, not a drawback for a girl, and empty idleness is not the best pastime (“.. some entertainment without work is no better than one work without entertainment”).
From the book we learn that Mrs. March's source of wisdom is truly Christian, and she tries to teach this wisdom to her children: “If it seems that I don’t need help, it’s because I have another friend who consoles and supports me even better than dad. My child, worries and temptations are beginning to enter your life, there may be many of them, but you can overcome them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of our Heavenly Father, just as you feel the strength and tenderness of your earthly father. The more you love and trust Him, the closer to Him you feel and the less dependent you are on human strength and wisdom. His love and care will never dry up, change or be taken away from you; they can become a source of eternal peace, happiness and strength. Believe me with all your soul and turn to God with all your little worries, hopes, sins and sorrows, openly and trustingly, as you turn to your mother.”
“Little Women” is a very kind, family-friendly, warm and cozy movie. The film is beautifully and talentedly shot: beautiful costumes, landscapes, music, everyday details, funny moments - all this allows you to get real viewing pleasure.
© Batishcheva M., translation into Russian, 2014
© Edition in Russian, design. Eksmo Publishing House LLC, 2014
All rights reserved. No part of the electronic version of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including posting on the Internet or corporate networks, for private or public use without the written permission of the copyright owner.
* * *
Now, Book, the fruit of my labors, go
And show everyone what you keep
in your chest.
You entertain and instruct my friends,
Let the right way to the good
my verse will show them.
I flatter myself that my dreams will come true,
What is the meaning of life to understand
you will help them all.
You introduce them to Mercy; it
On life path should be the rule.
Let your voice be loud
will call upon young maidens
Appreciate the world that exists, and the one
what awaits us all.
Having the Lord in your soul, let him be with Him
The pilgrim will follow the safest path.John Bunyan
Chapter 1
Pilgrim Game
“It’s not Christmas without gifts,” Jo grumbled dissatisfiedly, stretching out on the rug in front of the fireplace.
- How disgusting it is to be poor! – Meg sighed and looked down at her old dress.
“It’s just unfair that some girls have a lot of beautiful things, while others have nothing at all,” little Amy added, sniffling resentfully.
“But we have dad and mom, and we all have each other,” Bess responded with satisfaction from her corner.
At these encouraging words, the four young faces, illuminated by the firelight, brightened for a moment, but immediately darkened again, for Jo said sadly:
“We don’t have a dad and won’t have one for a long time.”
She did not say: “Perhaps never,” but each of them added these words to herself, thinking about her father, who is so far from them - where they are fighting.
Everyone was silent for a minute, then Meg spoke in a different tone:
“You know why mom suggested not giving each other gifts for Christmas.” The winter is going to be hard, and my mother thinks that we should not spend money on pleasure, while men bear all the hardships of front-line life. There is little we can do to help them, but we are still able to make our small sacrifices and should do so joyfully. But I'm afraid there is no such joy in my soul. - And Meg shook her head, sadly thinking about all the beautiful things that she wanted to have.
“But in my opinion, the little pocket money we have cannot bring any noticeable benefit.” Each of us has only a dollar, and it is unlikely that we will help the army that much if we donate this money to it. I agree not to expect any gifts from my mother or you, but I really want to buy myself “Ondine and Sintram”. I've dreamed about this for so long! said Jo, who was a famous book eater.
“I was going to spend my dollar on new sheet music,” Beth said with a sigh so light that it was heard only by the tea stand and fire brush standing nearby.
– I’ll buy myself a box of colored pencils. “I absolutely need them,” Amy said decisively.
“Mom didn’t say anything about our pocket money, and she, of course, won’t demand that we completely give up all pleasures.” Let each of us buy what we want, and we will be at least a little happy. I think we deserve it because we worked so hard! - exclaimed Jo, looking at the heels of her worn-out shoes like a man.
“I really had a hard time teaching these annoying children almost all day long when I really wanted to go home,” Meg began again in a plaintive tone.
“It wasn’t nearly as hard for you as it was for me,” Jo said. “How would you like to sit locked up for hours with a fussy and capricious old woman who doesn’t give you a minute of peace, is always dissatisfied and bores you to such an extent that you are ready to throw yourself out of the window or burst into tears?”
“It’s not nice, of course, to complain, but I think that washing dishes and keeping the house in order is the most unpleasant job in the world.” It makes me irritable, and my hands feel like wood, so I can’t even play scales properly. - And Bess looked at her calloused hands with a sigh, which this time everyone heard.
“And I think that none of you suffers as much as I do!” - Amy exclaimed. - After all, you don’t have to go to school and sit there with arrogant girls who snitch on you if you don’t know your lesson, laugh at your dresses, insult you because you don’t have good beautiful nose, And clean your father, since he is not rich.
- If you want to say honor, then say so, and don’t talk about your father as if he were a sooty kettle,” Jo advised with a laugh.
- I know perfectly well what I want to say, and there is no point in addressing me with such starcasm. It is very commendable to use good words and replenish your fox, – Amy retorted with dignity.
- Don't peck each other, kids. Don't you wish, Joe, that we had the money now that Daddy lost when we were little? - said Meg, who was the eldest and could remember better times. - My God! How happy and friendly we would be if we had no worries!
“And the other day you said that, in your opinion, we are much happier than the King children, despite all their wealth, because all they do is quarrel and fight.”
“Of course, Bess, I said that and I really think that we are happier than them, even if we have to work.” After all, we know how to have fun, and in general we are a “warm company,” as Jo would say.
“Joe always uses such vulgar expressions!” – Amy remarked, looking reproachfully at the long figure stretched out on the rug.
Jo immediately sat up, put her hands in her pockets and whistled.
- Stop it, Joe, it's so boyish!
“That’s why I whistle.”
– I can’t stand rude, ill-mannered girls!
– I hate cutesy and mannered touchy-feely ones!
“The birds in their nest are all chirping in harmony,” Bess sang with such a funny expression on her face that the irritated voices gave way to laughter and the “birds” stopped pecking each other for a while.
“Really, girls, you both deserve to be blamed,” Meg said judiciously, starting to teach like an older sister. “You, Josephine, are old enough to give up these boyish antics and behave like a girl.” Your manners had no of great importance while you were little. However, now that you are so tall and are giving yourself a “grown-up” hairstyle, you should remember that you are already a young lady, and not a tomboy.
- I’m no young lady! And if I become a young lady by styling my hair, then I’d better wear two braids until I’m twenty! - Jo exclaimed, pulling the net from her hair and shaking her thick chestnut mane. “It’s disgusting to even think that I’ll have to become an adult, call myself Miss March, wear long dresses and be prim, like some Chinese aster! And it’s so bad to be a girl when I love everything boyish: work, games, and manners! I can’t get used to the fact that I’m not a boy, and now it’s even harder because I’m dying to go into the army and fight shoulder to shoulder with dad, but instead I have to sit at home and knit, like some sleepy old woman ! - And Jo shook her blue soldier’s sock so fiercely that the knitting needles knocked against each other like castanets, and the ball jumped around the room.
- Poor Jo! It's terrible, but there's nothing you can do about it. “You’ll have to be content with turning your name into a man’s name and playing the part of a brother to us girls,” said Beth, stroking Joe’s tousled head with her small hand, the touch of which no amount of hard work in the world could ever make rough.
“And as for you, Amy,” Meg continued, “you are too picky and ceremonious.” It's just funny for now, but if you don't watch out in time, then when you grow up, you'll turn into a stupid cutesy goose. I like your good manners and pleasant manner of expression, but only until you begin to become more sophisticated. All these ridiculous words of yours are no better than Joe's slang.
“If Joe is a tomboy and Amy is a cutesy goose, then please tell me who I am,” Bess asked, ready to listen to reproaches addressed to herself.
“You’re just lovely, that’s all,” Meg answered warmly, and no one objected to her, because Mouse, as Bess was called, was the favorite of the whole family.
Young readers are always interested in “what people look like”, so we take this moment to give them brief description the appearance of four sisters who sat with knitting in their hands in the December twilight, when fluffy snow was quietly falling outside the windows, and the fire was cheerfully crackling in the living room. It was a cozy old room; True, the carpet was faded, and the furniture was very simple, but there were several good paintings, the closet was filled with books, chrysanthemums and small roses bloomed on the window sills, and everything around exhaled home comfort and peace.
Margaret, the eldest of the sisters, was sixteen and very pretty: plump and fair, with large eyes, soft dark hair, a lovely mouth and white hands, of which she was especially proud. Fifteen-year-old Jo, very tall, thin, dark, resembled a foal, since she seemed to have absolutely no idea what to do with her long arms and her legs, which always got in her way. She had a well-defined mouth, a funny nose and prickly gray eyes that seemed to see everything at once and looked fiercely, mockingly, and thoughtfully. Long thick hair were her only beauty, but she usually rolled them into a knot and put them in a net so as not to get in the way. Jo was stooped, with large hands and feet, and was indifferent and carefree about her clothes. Overall, she gave the impression of a girl who was rapidly turning into a woman and was very unhappy about it. Elizabeth - or Bess, as everyone called her - was a rosy-cheeked thirteen-year-old girl with smooth hair and bright eyes, shy, timid, with an invariably meek expression on her face. Her father called her “Little Serenity,” and the name suited her perfectly, for she seemed to live in her own happy world, venturing out of it only to meet the few whom she trusted and loved. Amy, although the youngest, was the most important person in the family - at least in her own eyes. A real Snow Maiden with blue eyes, with curly golden hair hanging down to her shoulders, pale and slender, she always watched her manners, trying to behave like a young lady. As for the characters of the four sisters, we will leave the clarification of this issue for the future.
The clock struck six, and after sweeping the ashes from the fireplace, Beth placed her mother's slippers before it to warm them. The sight of these old shoes gave the girls a pleasant feeling, because their mother was soon to return, and everyone was preparing to greet her with joy: Meg stopped scolding her sisters and lit the lamp, Amy climbed out of the most comfortable chair, although she was not even asked to do so, Jo I forgot about my fatigue and sat down to hold my mother’s shoes closer to the fire.
– Mom needs a new pair, these are completely worn out.
“I’ll buy her one with my dollar,” said Bess.
- No, I'll do it! - Amy screamed.
“I’m the eldest,” Meg began, but then Jo decisively intervened:
- While dad is away, I am the man in the family, and I will buy her shoes, because when he left, he told me to take care of her.
“Listen to what I came up with,” said Bess. - Let each of us give her some kind of gift for Christmas, but we won’t buy anything for ourselves.
- Great, dear! How similar to you! What will we buy? – Jo exclaimed joyfully.
They all thought deeply for a moment, then Meg announced, as if the idea had been suggested to her by the sight of her own pretty hands:
– I’ll give her a pair of beautiful gloves.
– Army shoes, it couldn’t be better! - Jo screamed.
“A few handkerchiefs, hemmed and marked,” said Bess.
- I'll buy a small bottle of cologne. She likes it, and besides, it will be inexpensive, so I will have money left over for pencils,” Amy added.
- How do we give her gifts? - asked Meg.
“We’ll put everything on the table, bring her in and watch her unwrap the packages,” Jo answered. – Remember how it used to happen on our birthdays?
– I was always scared when it was my turn to sit in big chair with a crown on your head and watch you all march around and give me gifts with kisses. I was happy with the gifts and the kisses, but it was just terrible that you sat and looked at me while I unwrapped the gifts,” said Bess, toasting both her face and the slices of bread for tea on the fire.
– Let mom think that we want to buy gifts for ourselves, and then we will surprise her. I'll have to go shopping tomorrow afternoon. It's only a little while before Christmas, and we still have so much to prepare for the production,” said Jo, looking down on everyone and pacing up and down the room with her hands behind her back.
- I'm probably in last time I take part in the production. “I’m getting too old for this kind of fun,” said Meg, who was still a child when it came to dressing up.
“Well, I’m sure that as long as you can walk around in a white dress with your hair down and wear jewelry made of gold paper, you won’t refuse it.” “You are the best actress among us, and if you leave the stage, our theater will come to an end,” said Jo. - Let's have a rehearsal right now. Amy, come here, let's re-enact the scene where you faint, otherwise you look like you swallowed a yardstick.
- What can I do? I’ve never seen anyone faint, and I’m not going to fall flat like you and end up completely covered in bruises. If I can’t lower myself smoothly, then it’s better for me to fall into a chair, and everything will be very graceful. And even if Hugo comes up to me with a gun, it doesn’t bother me much,” objected Amy, who had no dramatic talent, but got the role main character, because she was small enough that the villain in the play could drag her backstage.
- Do this: clasp your hands - like this - and, staggering, retreat and desperately shout: “Rodrigo! Save me! Save!" - And Jo demonstrated this maneuver with a melodramatic scream that sent shivers down to the bones.
Amy followed her example, but at the same time she put her arms completely straight forward and moved with sharp jerks, as if wound up, and her “O-oh!” it was more reminiscent of a pin prick than of fear and mental anguish. Joe let out a groan of despair, Meg laughed openly, and Bess, looking at what was happening with interest, let the bread burn.
- It's useless! Okay, do what you can when the time comes, but if the audience laughs, don't blame me. Now you, Meg.
Then everything went smoothly: Don Pedro, the heroine’s father, challenged the world in a speech two pages long, delivered without taking a breath; the sorceress Hagar chanted terrible spells over a simmering cauldron full of poisonous toads, thereby achieving a supernatural result; Rodrigo, chief goodie, resolutely tore his chains into pieces, and Hugo, the main villain, died in agony caused by arsenic and remorse, with a blood-chilling “ha, ha, ha!”
“This is the best production we've ever had,” Meg said as the dead villain rose and sat down, rubbing his bruised elbows.
“And how do you manage to write and stage such wonderful plays, Joe?” You are a real Shakespeare! - exclaimed Bess, who firmly believed that all her sisters had wonderful talents in all areas.
“Well, not really,” Jo answered modestly. “I think my opera The Curse of the Sorceress is not a bad thing, but I would willingly try to stage Macbeth if only we could arrange a trap door for Banquo’s spirit on the stage.” I always wanted to play the role of a killer. “Do I see a dagger in front of me?” - Jo muttered, rolling her eyes wildly and convulsively grasping the air with her hands, as did some famous tragedian whom she had once seen in the theater.
- No, it’s just a fork for toasting bread, and instead of bread, it’s wearing mom’s shoe! - Meg exclaimed, and the rehearsal ended with a general burst of laughter.
“How nice it is that I found you so cheerful, my girls,” a joyful voice was heard at the door, and the actors and spectators turned to greet tall woman with a tender motherly look and a pleasant expression on her face that always seemed to say, “Can I help you?” and it was truly amazing. Despite her modest clothes, she had a very noble appearance, and the girls believed that under the simple gray cloak and unfashionable hat was hiding the most wonderful mother in the world.
- Well, my dears, how did you get along without me today? I had a lot of work to do - we were preparing Christmas parcels, so I couldn't come home for lunch. Has anyone come in, Bess? How's your runny nose, Meg? Joe, you look so tired. Kiss me Amy baby.
And with these motherly questions Mrs. March took off her wet cloak and hat, put on warm shoes, sat down in comfortable chair and drew Amy to her, preparing to spend the most happy hours of your day full of work and worries. The girls began to fuss, trying - each in their own way - to do everything for her comfort. Meg was setting the table, Jo had brought logs for the fire and was now arranging the chairs, dropping and overturning everything she touched with a crash, Bess was quietly and busily scurrying between the kitchen and the living room, while Amy sat with her hands folded and gave directions to everyone.
When everyone was already sitting at the table, Mrs. March said with a particularly happy expression on her face:
- I have something to treat you after dinner.
Quick, lively smiles, like a ray of sunshine, ran across their faces. Beth folded her hands, forgetting the biscuit she was holding, and Jo threw up her napkin, shouting:
- Letter, letter! Long live dad!
- Yes, wonderful long letter. He is healthy and believes that he will cope with the cold season much better than we thought. He sends us all the best good wishes for Christmas, and especially to you girls,” said Mrs. March, touching her pocket as if it contained a treasure.
– We quickly finish eating – that’s all! Stop bending your little finger and simpering over the plate, Amy! - Jo shouted, swallowing her tea in a hurry and dropping the bread butter side down on the carpet.
Bess could eat no more, she slipped back into her dark corner and, sitting there, reflected on the upcoming pleasure.
Finally everyone was ready.
“It’s just wonderful that dad went to war as a chaplain, even though he’s already over military age and not in good enough health to be a soldier,” Meg said warmly.
“I wish I could go to war as a drummer or vivan... What are they called?.. Or as a nurse so I could be with dad and help him,” Jo moaned.
“It must be very unpleasant to sleep in a tent, eat all sorts of tasteless food and drink from a tin mug,” Amy sighed.
- When will he come home, mom? – Bess asked with a slightly noticeable tremor in her voice.
- Not soon, dear, unless he gets sick. He will remain there and faithfully perform his duty as long as he can, and we have no right to ask him to return one minute before the moment when they can do without him. Now sit down and listen.
Everyone sat close to the fire: Mom in the big chair, Bess at her feet, Meg and Amy sat on either side of the arms of the chair, and Jo leaned against the back so that no one would see signs of excitement on her face if the letter turned out to be touching. . And only a few of the letters written at that time hard time, were not touching, especially for those letters that fathers sent home. This letter said little about the difficulties endured from day to day, about the threatening dangers or the stubbornly suppressed longing for home. It was a cheerful, hopeful message with lively descriptions of soldier’s life, campaigns, military news, and only at the end it was discovered that the author’s heart was filled with fatherly love and longing for his daughters left at home: “Give them my deep love and kiss them for me. Tell them that I think of them during the day, pray for them at night, and take my best comfort from thinking about their love. We have a whole year to wait for our meeting; this is what it is long term, but remind them that while we wait, we can work, and therefore these hard days should not go to waste. I know they remember everything I told them, and will be loving and caring children for you, will do their duty honestly, fight persistently with their internal enemies and defeat them so decisively and beautifully that when I return to them, I will be able to love my little women even more and be proud of them.”
Everyone sighed when this part of the letter was read. Jo wasn't ashamed of the huge tear that rolled down the tip of her nose, and Amy didn't notice that she was ruffling her hair as she hid her face on her mother's shoulder and sobbed:
- I'm so selfish! But I'll try really hard to improve, so maybe he won't be disappointed in me when he comes back.
- We will all try! - Meg exclaimed. – I know that I think too much about my appearance and don’t like to work, but this will not happen anymore, as far as I can.
“I’ll try to be the little woman he wants me to be, not be rude and wild, and do my duty here at home instead of dreaming of being somewhere else,” said Jo, thinking at the same time that she would find it much more difficult to control herself while staying at home than to face one or two Southern rebels.
Bess didn’t say anything, she simply wiped away her tears with a blue soldier’s sock and began to knit with all her might, so that, without wasting time, she could begin to fulfill her immediate duty. In the depths of her gentle soul she made a promise to herself to become such as her father hoped to meet when the next year brought him a happy homecoming.
Mrs. March broke the silence that followed Joe's words, saying in a cheerful voice:
– Remember how we played pilgrims when you were little? How you rejoiced when I tied bags with rags on your back instead of knapsacks, gave you hats, sticks and paper scrolls with parting words and sent you on a journey through the house from the cellar, which was the City of Destruction, to the very roof, where from various beautiful things we created the Heavenly City?
- Oh, how wonderful it was, especially getting past the lions, fighting Apollyon, going through the valley of the evil elves! - Jo exclaimed.
“I really loved the moment when we finally threw off our knapsacks and they rolled down the stairs,” Meg said.
“It was most pleasant for me when we all went out onto the flat roof and stood among pots of flowers and other beautiful things and sang for joy in the rays of the sun,” Bess said with a smile, as if reliving these beautiful moments.
“And I only remember that I was afraid of the cellar and the dark hallway, but I loved the milk and pies that we ate on the roof.” If I weren’t now too old for such entertainment, I would probably play again,” said Amy, who started talking about giving up childhood games at the ripe age of twelve.
– My dear, we are never too old for this game, because we play it one way or another all our lives. Our knapsacks are always behind our backs, our road is in front of us, and the desire for goodness and happiness is the guide that leads us through many sorrows and mistakes to peace of mind, which is the real Heavenly City. Now, my little pilgrims, why don't you start over again, not just for fun, but for real, and let's see how far you can get before daddy gets home.
– Are you serious, mom? Where are our knapsacks? asked Amy, who was a very matter-of-fact young lady.
“Each of you has already said what burden she will have to bear.” And only Bess remained silent. I don’t think she has such a burden,” said Mrs. March.
- I have it too. My burden is washing dishes and wiping dust, and I also envy girls who can play a good piano, and I am afraid of people.
Bess's burden turned out to be so funny that everyone wanted to laugh, but no one did this, not wanting to offend her.
“Then let’s hit the road,” Meg said thoughtfully. – Playing pilgrims is just another name for striving to become a better person. Maybe the game will help us; because although we want to be good, it is hard work for us, and often we forget about our intended goals and do less to achieve them than we could.
“Tonight we were sitting in the Swamp of Dejection, and mom came and pulled us out, like Hope in a book.” But we also need scrolls with parting words. Where will we get them? – asked Jo, delighted that this game would bring at least a little romance into such a boring task as doing duty.
“Look under your pillow on Christmas morning and you will find your guidebook there,” answered Mrs. March.
They discussed this new plan while old Hannah was clearing the table. Then four small work baskets were brought out, and needles began to flash as the girls hemmed sheets for Aunt March. It was not an interesting activity at all, but no one complained that evening. The work progressed as they accepted Joe's suggestion: divide each of the long seams into four parts, call them Europe, Asia, Africa and America and, while making stitches on each of these parts, talk about different countries these continents.
At nine everyone stopped working and sang a few songs in chorus before going to bed. No one but Beth could extract melodious sounds from the old piano; only she alone knew how to gently touch the yellowed keys so that the simple songs they sang would sound to the music. Meg's voice was like a flute; she and her mother led a small choir. Amy chirped like a cricket, and Jo was in seventh heaven and wandered there as she pleased, always managing to ruin the most thoughtful melody with an unexpected trill or hoarse low sounds. Girls have been singing since they could talk, and this evening singing has become family tradition, for the mother was a born singer. The first sounds heard in the house in the morning were the sound of her voice as she walked through the rooms, singing like a lark, and the last thing heard in the evening were the same soul-gratifying sounds, for the girls were never too old to refuse from the usual mother's lullaby.