Comments | littlewomen_fic: Little Women

lillian_raven in littlewomen_fic

Little Women - Read-a-Long

Feb 12, 2012 10:57

Hello and welcome,

to this read-a-long where we can discuss every minor fact about Little Women I. Every chapter has its own discussion under thread and you can post everything you want about this chapter.
What you love, like or hate.
What you find curious or cute.
Whatever you find worth discussing in this chapter.

( Read more... )

book: little women, discussion, read-a-long

Leave a comment

Back to all threads

Chapter 2 - A MERRY CHRISTMAS lillian_raven February 12 2012, 10:01:35 UTC

The girls wake early on Christmas morning to discover that their mother has placed a different colored book under each of their pillows. They prepare breakfast and then sacrifice it to another family in need down the street. The girls then give Marmee her gifts and perform a play, Operatic Tradegy. Dinner comes as a surprise to the girls when they learn that old Mr. Laurence has provided them with ice cream, bonbons, and flowers.

Re: Chapter 2 - A MERRY CHRISTMAS lillian_raven February 13 2012, 13:35:32 UTC

I'm confused. Who played who during the play? Also it really sounds like fun. It's like one of these cheap romance books. *g*

The first 'meeting' between the girls and Mr. Laurence is great. His present is great and really fitting. The same I can say for the presents from their marmee!

This reminds me I love it that they use "Marmee" instead of mum (which sounds to modern) or mother (which sounds to strict).

nocoward_soul February 14 2012, 17:16:26 UTC

I always thought the books were Bibles, and "the best life ever lived" was Jesus. But other people think it's Pilgrim's Process.

I love that Amy volunteers to take the cream and muffins.

lillian_raven February 14 2012, 17:21:56 UTC

I thought the same! The bible and Jesus as the main role sounds more fitting. Especially with their father.

Also... what is "Pilgrim's Process"? I never heard about this book/story.

nocoward_soul February 14 2012, 17:51:21 UTC

The Pilgrim's Progress (not Process) is a book by John Bunyan from 1678. It's some kind of Christian allegory. The Pilgrim game the Marches play is based on it, and some of the English chapter titles like "Jo Meets Apollyon" are references to it.

lillian_raven February 14 2012, 18:01:11 UTC

Ah, thanks for the explanation!

Re: Chapter 2 - A MERRY CHRISTMAS chiana606 February 17 2012, 21:22:06 UTC

I've noticed that every book I've ever read by Alcott has a long description of a play of some sort, and everything that happens during said play.

... and I always find myself skimming them. Sorry girls, I know I *should* care about the plot of your play and how skillfully executed it is, and all the funny mishaps and stuff, but I don't.

I am wondering who the dozen or so girls they found to be in the audience are, though. Friends of Meg? Or Amy? Jo is never mentioned in the books as having any female friends, or indeed any friends really, other than Laurie (and later Bhaer). Wonder why that is.

Re: Chapter 2 - A MERRY CHRISTMAS lillian_raven February 17 2012, 22:20:04 UTC

Haha, I tried to read Tolkien. Alcott and her descriptions of these plays are nothing against this. I must admit even if I was confused who was who I like the play. It sounds like fun.

I asked myself this too! I always thought the girls are friends of Amy because Jo seems never to have friends, Beth is too shy and Meg only seems to have the girls of the ball who don't seem to like such a thing.

Back to all threads