Little Women

Little Women follows the story of the March family, particularly the March girls. It's an ageless commentary on life in community. Enough said. The rest of this post is about the author and the real historical figures behind the characters in the book.

Louisa May Alcott has long been my favorite author. That being said, Pride and Prejudice is still my favorite book : ). Ms. Alcott will always remain my primary inspiration, which is why I had to carve time on my trip up for a visit to Orchard House (the setting of Little Women and the Alcott family home)!!!

The Alcott's were change agents. Mr. A's radical education methods, such as physical exercise and inquiry learning have now been embraced as best practice. Mrs. A. was the first paid social worker in Boston; May (or Amy in LW) was a world famous artist who mentored America's favorite sculptor; and Louisa continues to influence the lives of children around the world with her timeless literature.

A few things I noticed from touring the home:
+Intentionality around meal time: Family discussions were based on individual journaling throughout the day.
+Reflection as mode of living: Everyone in the family kept a journal from a young age.
+Structure: The daily schedule accounted for every minute.
+Moral: The Alcotts were staunch and vocal abolitionists.
+Outdoors: the house blends into the woods around it. Concord and the rest of civilization fades away the moment you step on the property.
+Relationship as a way of understanding: Mr. A spent hours with Thoreau and Emerson in his study. Friends were constantly streaming through the Alcott home.
+Individualism: Each child was encouraged to pursue their passion. May drew all over the walls of her room, Anna performed in local plays, and Louisa wrote her book from a tiny desk that her father built for her in her bedroom.

+Hope: The underlying message of their devotion to hard work and effort was that change is possible, life is worth living, and truth must be told.

"It looks just like the movie!!!"