Hospital Sketches - Louissa May Alcott

I read this book last year for LMRC, but didn't blog about it then. As it is in my Classics Club List, I am writing about it now. This is a novella where the author writes about her experiences as a nurse during the civil war. Alcott fictionalizes her short career as a nurse and gives herself a pseudonym, Tribulation Periwinkle.
Tribulation Periwinkle looking for something to do follows her brother Tom's advice and decides to become a nurse for the union army. She does get an appointment, not at her desired place, but at Hurly-burly hotel which is running as a temporary hospital. She goes on to describe her hardship in reaching the hospital at Washington DC. She then describes her job as a nurse. She was called upon to wash the wounded, immediately on arriving. Though she was embarrassed at first, she masters the art of nursing. Soon, she was promoted as head nurse of the night shift. She calls her patients, her boys and treats them motherly. She tells about her boys and the process of nursing. I was moved particularly by the story of John, a blacksmith from Virginia. Though the horror of war is felt, the narrator's tone alleviates the depressing mood.  Nurse Periwinkle was forced to leave the hospital when she falls ill and her father brings her home. In the last chapter, "A postscript," she answers the questions her readers had raised.
In her own words, Hospital sketches showed her what she called "her style", the telling, with heart and humor, of life as she lived it.
 

A Read Along of The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

A Read Along of The Pickwick Papers is hosted by O@beholdthestars. The uniqueness of this read along schedules is that it follows the schedule in which it was originally published in series. So this read along runs for more than a year. I love this idea and thanks to O for hosting this.

The Pickwick Papers is Charles Dickens first novel. The original title was "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, containing a faithful record of the Perambulations, Perils, Travels, Adventures and Sporting Transactions of the corresponding members." Such a long title!!!
It was published in series, 19 issues over 20 months from March 1836 - November 1837. Dickens missed a deadline in mourning for his sister-in-law Mary Hogarth, and consequently there was no issue in May 1837.
Charles Dickens was four and twenty and was writing under the pseudonym "Boyz". He was actually called in to supply the letterpress- that is, the description necessary to explain the plates and connect them into a sort of picture novel (Picture Novel was then the fashion). Initially he adjusted his narrative to the plates that had been prepared for him, but later he himself led the way with an installment of his story and the artist was compelled to illustrate what Dickens had already written.
Robert Seymour provided the illustrations for the first two installments. After his suicide, Robert Buss illustrated the third installment, but his work was not liked by Dickens and the remaining installments were illustrated by "Phiz" (Hablot Knight Browne) who went on to illustrate most of Dickens novels. (Source - Wikipedia)

Little Women - Part II

I finished the book almost three weeks back. I thought of posting part II after watching the movie and hence the delay. I haven't watched the movie yet and I felt I should complete the readalong discussions without anymore delay. I enjoyed the read along by Jenni, Kami and Suey and my heartfelt thanks to the trios.
We find the March sisters growing into young women as their father had desired. Meg gets married and we see her joys and struggles as a young wife and mother. She seeks Marmee's advice and learns to manage her role as a mother and wife. Jo rejects Laurie's proposal and goes to New York as a governess for a family friend. We see Jo's struggle as a writer. Her friendship with Baher blossom into love and she eventually marries him. Aunt March leaves Plumfield to Jo in her will. Jo plans to open a school for boys at Plumfield. The saddest part is losing Beth to Scarlet fever, almost six years after she contracted the infection. The youngest of March sisters, charming Amy gets to travel with Aunt Carol and cousin Flo to Europe. She leaves her artistic pursuits after learning that she is not really genius at art. When Laurie meets her, they both fall in love and get married before they return home. All the March sisters are settled happily and the novel ends at Plumfield where the Marches and their extended family are celebrating Marmees 60th birthday.

It was joy reading Little Women. Though I enjoyed both parts, my favourite is part I, where I enjoyed the various adventures of the little March sisters, their friendship with their neighbor Laurie, and Mr. Laurence. In part II, I enjoyed reading about Meg's wedding and Amy's account of her travel.
Now, coming to the discussion questions:

1. What do you think about the girls now? Has your opinion of them changed since the beginning or even the middle of the story?
I like all the girls. They really had worked hard to grow into women as their father had desired.

2. At the end of the book, which character do you relate to most? Is it a different character than at the beginning?
As I said earlier I can find a bit of me in each of the March sisters. But I think I relate most to Jo as I love to be independent.

3. Do you think Beth should’ve died when and in the way she did?
It was sad to lose Beth. She was such a kind hearted girl. It is a semi-autobiography novel and one of Alcott's sister died at a very young age.

4. How do you feel about Laurie’s romantic decisions? Did his relationship with Amy seem developed enough to be sincere?
Though Laurie is trying to replace Amy in Jo's position, I think his relationship with Amy is sincere.

5. How do you feel about Jo’s romantic decisions? Do you think they were consistent with her character?
 Her friendship, respect and affection for Prof. Baher turn into love. (It is quiet natural for friendship blossoming into love. But it would have been nice if her friendship with Laurie had blossomed into love.) Though it is not consistent with her tomboyish character, she changes and is willing to settle in marriage as girls of 19th century did. People do change after all.

6. What do you think about the names the girls and their husbands gave to their children?
Meg's twins were named Daisy and Demijohn. These names were suggested by Laurie. Daisy was named after Meg (Margaret). Daisy is a derivative of the name Margaret and to avoid confusion the twin girl was named Daisy. Demijohn was named after John Brooke. I think Daisy and Demi  rhyme well enough. Amy's daughter was named after Beth. Jo's boys were named Rob and Teddy after her father and her friend Teddy. I didn't give it a thought, but I think it all cute.

7. If this was your first time reading Little Women, what do you think? Did it meet your expectations? Would you read it again? If this was a reread, do you feel the same as you did when you read it the first time? Or, has your opinion changed?
I loved it again and it has become one of my favourite books.

8. Do you have a favorite quote or passage from Little Women?

There are many quotes and passages. I will just quote two of them.

"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success."

"He does not let business wean hem from the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try
 not to let domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits. Each do our part alone
 in many things, but at home we work together, always."


9. Would you change anything about the story if you could? If so, what?
I would not change the story. I think it is good as it is.

10. Even though the setting for Little Women is quite different from today’s world, do you think we can learn anything from this story? If so, what?
Even though the setting of the story is 19th century, the moral principles, families, love, relationship portrayed in the novel are not bound by time. I really didn't mind March family portrayed unrealistically good and I love it for being portrayed so.

 

Little Women Read Along - Chapter 18-33 Discussion Post

 

 

I have finished the book a couple of days back and I really enjoyed it. I thank Jenni, Kami and Suey for hosting this Read Along. Today Kami has posted her discussion questions for chapters 18-33. Here they go along with my answers.....

Chapters 18 - 33 Discussion Questions:

1. What would be your dream cast for the March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy), Marmee, Laurie, and whoever else you'd like to cast.

 

       I have not watched any film adaptation and I wish to see the 1994 film adaptation.

2. How do you feel about Meg and Mr. Brooke's relationship?

       

       Both Meg and Brooke had their hard time and they managed it very well. They are an ideal couple.

3. How do you feel about Jo's reaction to Meg getting married?

 

       Though it's natural to feel sad when your sister is going to leave the house after getting married, I felt Jo's reaction is little exaggerated.

 

4. The girls are growing up and changing, do you feel differently towards them now than you did at the beginning?

 

     I felt Jo has changed a lot from being a tomboyish girl to a traditional young woman.

 

5. Two important men were introduced in these chapters. What are your impressions of Mr. March and Professor Bhaer?

 

        Mr. March and Professor Bhaer are good, kindhearted men having lots of patience.

6. Do you think it was fair that Amy got to go to Europe instead of Jo?

 

        It was sad to see Jo's disappointment, but in the end it turned to be for the best.

7. What are your thoughts on the time period and setting of the book? Do you like it? Why do you think a very important historical event like the Civil War is hardly mentioned in the story?

 

        The time period is middle of 19th century  and it was set in March sisters house at New England, modeling Alcott's Orchard House. I liked the setting. As the novel is about the growing up of March sisters from adolescence to adulthood, Civil War is hardly mentioned though Mr. March is away at war at the start of the novel and Brooke goes to war and returns wounded before his marriage to Meg.

8. Louisa May Alcott supposedly patterned the March sisters after herself and her own sisters. How accurate do you think she portrayed her family? Do you think a lot of the book is an idealized version of her and her sisters?

 

       She portrayed herself and her sisters as the March sisters; I think it is fictionalized to some extent.

9.Why do you think Louisa May Alcott later added Part 2 to the book?

 

       Alcott closed the curtain of part- 1 saying it will rise after seeing the response. As the response was good and the readers wanted to know more about the March sisters, Alcott added Part 2.

10. What is your favorite adaptation of Little Women and why?

 

        I am yet to watch the film. Hopefully I will watch as per the Read Along Schedule.

 

  

 

 

Little Women - Part I

I am participating in the Little Women Read Along hosted by Jenni, Kami, Suey. According to the schedule they will be discussing chapter 1-17 today at Suey's blog. Have to go and check them after this post. I completed part one of Little Women. As I said earlier I am reading it for the second time. I completely loved it again.
Little Women is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott, which was originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. She had no intention of writing this book and she wrote it at the request of her publisher Thomas Niles. She completed it over a span of ten weeks. It became an immediate commercial success. In 1880 the two volumes were compiled in a single work entitled Little Women. She then went on to write two sequels - Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). The book has been adapted for film twice as silent film and four times with sound in 1933, 1949, 1978 and 1994. Four television series were made, two in Britain in the 1950's and two animated series in Japan in 1880. (Source - WWW)
It is a semi-autobiographical novel as it was based on Alcott's real experiences with her sisters.
Alcott set her novel in an imaginary orchard house modeled on her own residence. We follow the life of four sisters as they grow from adolescence to adulthood. The four sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March live with their mother and their father is away at war when the story begins. It was Christmas eve and the girls were little upset for not getting any presents. They receive a letter from their father asking his little girls to do their duty and conquer their faults. The girls then tell their mother their faults. Mrs. March then remind them of a game called Pilgrim's Progress which they played when they were young. Mrs. March suggest them to play it again, but in a grown up way. The burdens are their character flaws, their road is the life ahead of them and the celestial city is Heaven. Mrs. March tells them that they will find a guidebook under their pillow on Christmas morning.
The narrator describes the March sisters to the reader. Now, Meg is the eldest and she is sixteen, pretty and beautiful. She loves luxury and is little romantic. She wishes to be less vain and to work harder. Jo is fifteen, tomboyish, easily loses her temper, love reading books, writing and very very active. She wants to do something great when she grows up. Jo wishes to do the duties at home and stop being tomboyish. Beth is thirteen, too good and perfect. She is shy and happy to be at home. She loves music and envies girls with piano. She wish to stop being afraid of people and not envy other girls with piano. Amy, the youngest is twelve, pretty girl. The thing that bothers is her nose. She loves to paint and want to be a gentle woman. She wishes to be less selfish.
In the first part, we see how the girls grow, entertaining themselves, coping with poverty, trying to conquer their faults. They always seek their mother for guidance. Marmee is such a wonderful mom who allows her girls to grow for themselves and giving guidance when sought. Amy's intention to give a party to her wealthy friends and how Marmee made her realize her mistake is a nice example of proper parenting. I loved their neighbor Mr. Lawrence and Laurie in particular. I also loved the way the girls entertained themselves with plays, Pickwick club and Busybee society. The Lawrence camp was entertaining. At the end of part I, Meg's love for Mr. John Brooke is revealed.
 

The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall

 

 

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is the second and final novel by the English author Anne Bronte. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 29. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was first published in 1848 under the pseudonym Acton Bell. It is one of the first sustained feminist novels. It had an instant and phenomenal success, however after Anne's death, her sister Charlotte Bronte prevented its republication. (Source - Wikipedia)
It is an epistolary novel. Gilbert Markham writes to his friend and brother in law, his most secret story. The first part and third part of the story is from Gilbert's point of view. The second part is pages from Helen's diary which Gilbert reproduces in his letter. The protagonist of the novel, Helen comes as a tenant to Wildfell Hall as Mrs. Graham, a widow along with her son Arthur and a servantmaid. Wildfell Hall is near the village of Mr. Gilbert, where he lives with his mother, brother and sister. Since Mrs. Graham is reclusive, she becomes the subject of local Gossip. Gilbert befriends young Arthur, become fascinated with Mrs. Graham and falls in love with her. Wild rumors concerning Mrs. Graham begin to spread. Now Gilbert wishes to marry Helen, but Helen is not in a position to accept his proposal. He doubts that Helen is in love with Lawrence, the owner of Wildfell Hall. She gives him pages of her diary to unfold her mystery. From Helen's diary we come to know about her and her marriage to Arthur Huntingdon. Helen comes to know of Arthur's true nature after marriage. When Arthur begins to corrupt the child, she wants to flee from her husband. However, Huntingdon learns her plan and destroys it. But finally with the help of her brother Lawrence, she finds a refuge at Wildfell Hall.  After Gilbert reads Helen's diary, she bids him to leave her. He complies and soon he learns that she has returned to Grassdale as her husband is gravely ill. She nurses him, but Huntingdon dies. A year had gone. Gilbert hears about Helen's wedding and goes to Grassdale only to find it is Lawrence who is getting married. He finds that Helen is wealthy and lives at Staningley. He goes to Staningley, but hesitates to meet her. Lingering at the gate to have a glimpse of her, he encounters Helen, her aunt and young Arthur by chance. They reconcile and get married.
Twenty years had passed. We don't get to know about Helen after remarriage except that she and Gilbert had children. Whether she continues her painting work, we are left to wonder. Helen is bold and strong for a 19th century woman. It's a very engaging novel portraying the women's status in 19th century England.

I consider it for Reading England 2016 Challenge and Women's Classic Literature Event, though I have not included it when I signed for the challenge.

The Red Badge Of Courage - Stephen Crane

It is set in the background of American Civil War. It portrays the internal conflict of a young soldier at the warfront. Henry Fleming, a young man joins the battalion to be a part of the American Civil War. But when he faces the real war, he flees from it.

"At times he regarded the wounded soldiers in an envious way. He conceived persons with torn bodies to be peculiarly happy. He wished that he, too, had a wound, a red badge of courage."

Seeing injured soldiers, he feels guilty for fleeing. He feels shame that he did not possess any wounds which are the marks of courage. He returns to his battalion and finally proves his courage. I am happy to have read this novel which is considered to be one of the great works of American literature.