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"Little Women"(Little Women) - novel American writer by Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), published in two parts between 1868 and 1869. The novel describes the lives of the four March family sisters - Margaret, Jo, Beth and Amy. It is partly written from the author's childhood memories: Alcott also had three sisters. The first part of the book became widely known and became extremely successful commercially, which prompted the author to write a sequel. good wives"(Good Wives), also very popular. Together, the two parts of the novel were first published in 1880. After Little Women, Alcott wrote sequels about the lives of the heroines of this book: Little Men (1871) and Joe's Boys (1886). Based on the novel Little Women, plays, films, cartoons and an opera were created.

Characters

Mr March- head of the family. At the beginning of the novel he is at war (the American Civil War of 1861-1865). He fulfills his duty to the country as a priest, maintaining the morale of the northern soldiers.

Mrs March- Mr. March's wife, the girls affectionately call her "Marmee." For his daughters, he is an unquestioned authority and role model. Mrs. March is honest, virtuous, merciful, fair, although sometimes strict.

Margaret/Meg March- the eldest of the March sisters, one of the main characters of the novel. A very beautiful 16-year-old girl with excellent manners, feminine and romantic. Margaret is obedient and modest, and is very concerned about her own reputation and that of her family. Meg is no stranger to vanity - she is ashamed of her poverty, envies beautiful dresses and the expensive jewelry of her friends, she is drawn to a beautiful life.

Meg's "favorite" is Amy, the youngest of the sisters. Meg spoils her sister and indulges her in everything.

Josephine/Jo March- the second oldest of the March sisters, she is 15 years old, one of the main characters of the novel. Joe is a real tomboy in a skirt. Unlike her older sister, she does not like balls and girl talk; they seem boring to her. Joe is much more interesting in men's company. Joe climbs trees, runs races with friends, skates, and maybe even fights. She loves to read and dreams of becoming a writer; Jo has a notebook with stories of her own composition.

Jo is honest and sometimes too straightforward - she does not know how to dissemble at all and is devoid of coquetry. Because of this, many people find her rude, but others are attracted to her openness. Of the sisters, Jo is most attached to Beth. Margaret admires her with her beauty and manners, Joe loves her older sister, but there is no complete understanding between them - they are too different. The relationship with Amy is ambiguous, but overall not bad.

Beth March- a quiet and obedient 12-year-old girl. Very timid and shy, she has difficulty getting along with people. He loves music and dreams of playing the piano. Beth is completely non-conflict, she has an even relationship with all her sisters.

Amy March- the youngest of the March sisters, the most controversial character in the novel. Amy is only 11 years old - she has a pretty appearance, is well-mannered and at the same time cunning. Amy learned early on that she could please people whenever she wanted, and often used her charm for her own personal gain. Like Margaret, Amy is vain and at the same time touchy and capricious; only her upbringing and the spiritual values instilled in her family restrain her. Angry, Amy commits dishonest and sometimes cruel acts (for example, she burns Joe's notebook with stories), but she is also capable of repentance. Amy is a very ambiguous heroine, positive and negative qualities they are closely intertwined and are in a very fragile balance.

Theodore/Laurie Lawrence- a young man of 15-16 years old, living in a house next door to the March family. Given name The boy doesn’t like Theodore, he asks to call him “Lori” (later Joe will sometimes call him “Teddy”). Lori is an orphan. He studied in Europe for several years closed school for boys, then returned to the United States and, at the time of the events described in the novel, lives with his grandfather and is preparing to enter university. At the ball, Laurie meets Jo March (both of them are trying to hide from the crowd in a far corner and accidentally cross paths) and they manage to become friends. Later, Joe, with the consent of his mother, introduces Laurie into the March family and the young man becomes a friend of the family. Laurie is educated and very well mannered, but sometimes rebellious and impudent (largely due to his age).

Laurie treats all the March sisters well, but has a special interest (at first friendly, then romantic) in Jo.

The younger Lawrence has a talent for music and plays the piano well, but his grandfather does not encourage Laurie for this. Lawrence Sr. wants his grandson to succeed in "more important things." Laurie loves her grandfather, but resists his control. By his own admission, he dreams of “moving to Italy and living as he pleases.”

Mister Lawrence- Laurie's grandfather. Strong-willed, strict, unyielding person. The owner of a large fortune and a rich house next door to the March family home. Mr. Lawrence strongly encourages his grandson to communicate with the March family, believing that Miss March and the girls have a positive influence on the rebellious young man. Mr. March treated all the March sisters well, but especially loved the shy and timid Beth.

John Brooke- teacher (and friend) Lori. Having met Margaret March, he falls in love with her and later proposes marriage to her.

Annie Moffat- Meg's friend. The girl from rich family, a gossip and a frivolous dummy. Passionate about fashion, balls, entertainment and fans. Having met Meg at the ball, he invites her to visit and tries to involve her in his circle - he borrows his dress (too open and seductive), blushes her cheeks and makes a pompous hairstyle, teaches coquetry bordering on affectation. Annie is helped in this by her older sisters, Bell and Sally. Having learned about Meg's friendship with Laurie Lawrence, Annie, her mother and sisters gossip - they unanimously decide that Meg and her mother are simply “hunting” for a rich groom. Having gotten to know Annie Moffat and her sisters better, Meg (with the participation of Laurie Lawrence) decides to abandon friendship with them.

Film adaptations

Little Women (film, 1949)
Little Women (anime series, 1987)

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 movement of women's struggle for suffrage, being 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 war, 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 features 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 things happen to sisters all the time, touching stories which are best remembered.

Where can I read the book?

Louisa May Alcott

Little women

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,
May the right path to 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

Pilgrim game

“It’s not Christmas without gifts,” Jo grumbled dissatisfied, 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, as 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 mom thinks that we shouldn’t spend money on pleasure while men bear all the hardships. 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 mom and from 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,” Bess said with such a small sigh 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 unhappy and bores you to such an extent that you are ready to throw yourself out of the window or cry?

“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 a 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 Nice words and replenish your fox, – Amy retorted with dignity.

- Don't peck each other, kids. Don't you, Joe, wish we had the money now that Dad 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.

Composers Thomas Newman, Georges Bizet, Conrad Kocher, more Editing Nicholas Boman Cinematographer Geoffrey Simpson Writers Robin Swicord, Louisa May Alcott Designers Jan Roelfs, Richard Hudolin, Colleen Atwood, more

Do you know that

The film is based on the novel by L.M. Allcott.
The film was shot in the USA and Canada.
Winona Ryder dedicated the film to a murdered girl who really loved the book that became the plot of the film.
While filming the movie, Claire Danes was carrying a candle up the stairs and her hair caught fire.
Costumes are passed down from older sister to younger sister to highlight the family's poverty and the bond between sisters.
Claire Danes' debut film.
The opera in which Professor Baer gives Joe a role is The Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet.
On the set of this film, Winona Ryder introduced Christian Bale to her assistant, who later became his wife.
Christina Ricci, Thora Birch and Natalie Portman auditioned for the role of young Amy March, but the role eventually went to Kirsten Dunst.
The film's set was modeled after the Orchard house, family home Louisa May Alcott in Concord, Massachusetts. This is the house she lived in while writing the book.
Alicia Silverstone auditioned for the role of Beth March, but the director saw the character as much younger.
Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon and Claire Danes wore wigs made by him in the film famous designer wigs Peter Owen.
The film was originally to be directed by John Duigan.
Olivia Hussey expressed interest in the role of Marmee, but was rejected by producers due to her English accent and because she was considered too similar to Trini Alvarado, who played Meg March.
Unlike the 1933, 1949, and 1978 versions, Beth dies in this film adaptation of the book.

More facts (+12)

Plot

Beware, the text may contain spoilers!

The life story of the four March sisters is closely connected with the history of the country in which they live. The American Civil War became the main life milestone, which in one way or another affected the life of every girl. We see them at first very small, then the stage of growing up passes and youth begins - the sweetest time for any beauty. Despite their blood relationship, the March sisters are very different. Meg dreams of big family and her beloved husband, while Joe does not at all imagine himself in the role of a housewife. She wants fame, glory, respect. She doesn’t know how to achieve this, but she still secretly dreams of such a life. Amy is very hot-tempered and harsh, she does not believe in love, but she respects money. And only Beth becomes the link between such dissimilar, and at the same time, such loving people.

* * *

Now, Book, the fruit of my labors, go
And show everyone what you keep
in your chest.
You entertain and instruct my friends,
May the right path to 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 the path of life there should be a 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 dissatisfied, 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, as 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,” Bess said with such a small sigh 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.

“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.

“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 tell on you if you don’t know your lesson, laugh at your dresses, insult you because you don’t have a very 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, Joe, wish we had the money now that Dad 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.”

“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!

“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 didn't matter much when 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 way of expressing yourself, 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 a delight, 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 short 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 big 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 grey eyes, who seemed to see everything at once and looked now fiercely, now mockingly, now 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, deciding to leave him only to meet those 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 turned on 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 new couple, 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 the big chair with a crown on my head and watch you all march around and give me gifts with kisses.” I was pleased 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, browning 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.

- 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 positive hero, resolutely tore his chains into pieces, and Hugo, main villain, died in agony caused by arsenic and remorse, with 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 trapdoor 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 there’s mom’s shoe on it! - 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 a tall woman with a tender motherly look and a pleasant expression on her face that always seemed to say “I can’t.” Shall 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 a 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, as if Sunbeam, ran over 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, a 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.

Beth could no longer eat, 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, although he is already over military age and his health is not good enough 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 kinds 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 for a single minute before that moment when they can do without it. 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 few of the letters written during that difficult time were not touching, especially 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. Whole year we have to wait for the meeting; this is such a long time, but remind them that while we wait, we can work, and therefore these hard days should not go to waste. I know they will 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 meek soul she made a promise to herself to become what her father hoped to meet when next year will bring him a happy return home.

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 wasn't at all interesting activity, but that evening no one grumbled. 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, making stitches on each of these parts, talk about the different countries of 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.