Good Women

[elettaria]

There seems to be a strong trend, particularly in 19th century literature, of portraying disabled women as so saintly that few readers can actually stand them. Sometimes the author seems to be despising the character too, sometimes they seem to be terribly fond of them and not have realised that no one else is. A lot of these characters die.

Comments

[gehayi]

What's the "ahem, hunting" about? There's the obvious, but snowy forests aren't really where red light districts happen, nor would I expect that in an Alcott story.

The "ahem, hunting" thing is an attempt to make the story of Jill's accident sound more fairy-tale-ish, because princes who are out hunting in fairy tales often stumble upon maidens in distress. However, the "hunting" bit makes it look like Jack and his older brother Frank were out together and no one else was around. In reality, Frank was one of a large crowd that was out with Jack that day, and thirteen-year-olds Jack Minot and Jill (actually Janey) Pecq were hurt in the same sledding accident, which happened because someone dared Jill to slide down a very steep and rocky hill and Jill asked Jack (who had a sled, whereas she didn't) to take her down the steep hill a couple of times.

"Jack, take me down that coast. Joe said I wouldn't dare to do it, so I must," commanded Jill, as they paused for breath after the long trudge up hill. Jill, of course, was not her real name, but had been given because of her friendship with Jack, who so admired Janey Pecq's spirit and fun.

"I guess I wouldn't. It is very bumpy and ends in a big drift; not half so nice as this one. Hop on and we'll have a good spin across the pond;" and Jack brought "Thunderbolt" round with a skilful swing and an engaging air that would have won obedience from anybody but wilful Jill.

"It is very nice, but I won't be told I don't 'dare' by any boy in the world. If you are afraid, I'll go alone."

That's the extent of Jill's "badness." If you read the book, she comes across as a genuinely nice girl who likes sports better than sewing and other designated feminine pursuits.

And Joe Flint? Never penalized for daring her. Even Jack gets off more lightly; he suffers a compound fracture in one of his legs which, in-period, would have been potentially life-threatening, but which is treated by his doctor as no problem at all. Jill is explicitly punished for not shrugging off Joe's dares and insults, because girls, the various older women in this book say over and over, are supposed to "tame" the wildness of boys.