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- An Old Fashioned Girl -
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Sunday, May 28, 2006
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I was feeling quite emotional for some reason today. It was just this sudden feeling that occurred to me that got me thinking about things, exploring my feelings; basically just thinking and feeling a lot. As I mentioned earlier, the thing with me is that I often have a tendency to "feel" so much that if I don't do something to express myself or cleanse my soul, I'll break down with the weight of these feelings. This very thing happened, except that instead of writing a poem today I went back to this old classic I've read two or three times already- "An Old Fashioned Girl"by Louisa May Alcott. It's an amazing book, and I think the last time I read it was probably two years ago. Much has changed since then. I'm more matured, I view my surroundings and the people around me differently; there's a whole new outlook to life hen you're sixteen going on seventeen. Stuff that didn't affect me before now touches me deeply, simply because of the person I am, the things that have happened to me, and the things that I feel and think.
A complete reflection on the entire novel will come after I've finished reading it; currently I'm only halfway through...Hence for now, to continue in my emotional and affected mood, these are a few of the things that stick out to me.
This first one is an excerpt from the part where Polly wants her dress altered so that it looks more fashionable like her friend Fanny's, and hence she asks her mother in a letter whether she can do so. This is her mother's loving and sensible reply from far away in the country where the vices of the city and its fashions have no place. I find it extremely touching:
- "No dear, the dress is proper and becoming as it is and the old fashion of simplicity the best for all of us. I don't want my Polly to be loved for her clothes but for herself, so wear the plain frocks Mother took such pleasure in making for you and let the panniers go. The least of us have some influence in this big world, and perhaps my little girl can do some good by showing others that a contented heart and a happy face are better ornaments than any Paris can give her. You want a locket deary, so I send one that my mother gave me years ago. You will find Father's face on one side, mine on the other, and when things trouble you, just look at your talisman, and I think the sunshine will come back again."
This second one is just a statement from the story which I found to be very true and nice:
- "Little things of this sort are especially good work for little people; a kind little thought, an unselfish little act a cheery little word, are so sweet and comfortable that no one can fail to feel their beauty and love the giver, no matter how small they are."
This third one is very nice and honest indeed in the context of the book, where Tom, a normally terrorizing tyrant and Fanny's brother, turns over a new leaf because of Polly's goodness getting to his heart.
- "It is very pleasant to be loved and admired, very sweet to think we shall be missed and mourned when we die."
I will collect more excerpts from the story as they come...for now this is it...
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