tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post1986189275823973160..comments2024-03-29T03:44:12.622+11:00Comments on A peaceful day: This chapter makes me madJeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09573473465011631325noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-14358214132635825772012-11-02T17:43:37.880+11:002012-11-02T17:43:37.880+11:00Actually, there is one step missing that would mak...Actually, there is one step missing that would make it perfect - making amends. In a sense Amy did get of scot free because Jo's horror at her fall in the water means the whole burning of writing incident gets swept under the carpet. Instead, if Marmee had supported Jo and Amy to come to some sort of agreement to make things right (true justice). Of course, as you say, that is not entirely possible, but that, again is the world we live in. Perhaps for example, Amy could have done Jo's chores for a set period so Jo would have more time to write to replenish some of her lost work, or offered to pay for all her paper and pens for a year, or both. Something that would have made them both feel that the gravity of the situation had been recognised and an attempt made to rectify it.<br />I feel that the concept of making amends, making it right, was missing from my own childhood and it's something I'm trying to learn for myself now as well as attempting to teach my children. It's definitely a Biblical concept, found throughout the law. And I'm reading an article on the Christus Victor view of atonement that shows how it's God's definition of justice, and underpins the work of Christ on the cross - healing what is broken. (http://therebelgod.com/cross1.html if you're interested)Claire in Tasmaniahttp://www.greenegem.worpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-58489686901269520882012-11-02T17:26:27.888+11:002012-11-02T17:26:27.888+11:00Without having yet read any other comments... no, ...Without having yet read any other comments... no, I don't agree. I actually think it's a triumph of a chapter. I blogged about my own use of it as a 'living example' as part of my ongoing struggles with my temper here: http://greenegem.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/dealing-with-anger/ <br />I see the chapter a bit differently. Firstly, Marmee is equal in her treatment of both girls. She understands Jo's (justified) anger just like we readers do, and she does not try to force her to forgive her sister, or give her an arbitrary timeframe, she accepts that Jo isn't ready yet. We are not told what went on between Marmee and Amy but ... she had to meet Amy where she was at yk? (it does help to remember that Alcott had no kids of her own and often gets a bit confused about what they should be doing at different ages - she has Meg's twins apparently talking and walking downstairs somewhere around 6months, it seems. Amy often seems a bit young for her age so needs the sorts of explanations that you might expect to give to a 6yo) - so if she needs someone to explain to her how much what she did hurt her sister, then that's what she needs. No amount of punishment will explain it better than explanation. I read 'superior virtue' as ironic, Alcott isn't absolving Amy. As for 'getting off scot free' - she gets to experience the true natural consequence of her actions - her sister's repulses. Why would an additional punishment be necessary? What would it prove? What would it change?<br />From the perspective of someone who nearly killed a sister who was acting like a brat, the sequel is also just. Jo's action, while understandable, was wrong. No, she didn't need to forgive her sister in that moment. No, she didn't have to accept her following them. Telling her about the thin ice is the sort of act of human decency that God expects us to do for our enemies.<br />I actually think this chapter shows a lot more subtlety and nuance in terms of morality than is usually depicted in books (or anywhere) - so much less black and white than we want the world to be but a lot closer to the shades of grey that the world really is. And it shows a great deal of wisdom and restraint in Marmee, who is one of my heroes.<br />It helps that I've let go of the need to punish my children. Judgement, retribution - these are not my job... I believe it is my job to discipline (teach) but not to punish. I don't expect parents to administer punishment any more than I expect God to send lightning bolts on my enemies. I would totally support my child in setting firm boundaries (like a locked cabinet and refusing access to her space) to protect her writing from someone who has proven irresponsible, though.Claire in Tasmaniahttp://www.greenegem.worpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-2270146694859375652012-11-01T04:28:09.688+11:002012-11-01T04:28:09.688+11:00I say calllllmmmmm dowwwwn.....repeat after me.......I say calllllmmmmm dowwwwn.....repeat after me....it's only a movie (book), it's only a movie (Book), it's only a movie (book)! <br /><br />I just like their coats and hats they wear! I have a coat that my parents bought me 20 years ago and I still wear it. It reminds me of Little Women! I'll post on it someday!<br /><br />Cindy BeeBee Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15818958787610823509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-62975133738515253232012-10-31T11:32:07.038+11:002012-10-31T11:32:07.038+11:00Ellen, my girls and I often recall the incident wi...Ellen, my girls and I often recall the incident with Laura's doll and how insensed they were for her when it was found lying in the mud. But, life ain't fair and we all have experiences like these two famous books.Rubyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09705309602853231946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-59312574036553912892012-10-31T03:41:51.311+11:002012-10-31T03:41:51.311+11:00Never could stand stupid little Amy. I think the W...Never could stand stupid little Amy. I think the Wynona Ryder movie shows her with all her faults. And stupid (should that be "stupid-ER?"] Laurie MARRIES this fool!Hopewellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02510172065585770709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-43070698625006409452012-10-31T00:57:09.889+11:002012-10-31T00:57:09.889+11:00I've always felt the same way, Jeanne. And the...I've always felt the same way, Jeanne. And then Amy gets to go to France with Aunt March, too! Kids are really good at spotting injustice (just ask me when I'm serving ice cream to the girls), and this screams of injustice! In one of the Little House books, a neighbor child falls in love with Laura's doll, and Ma makes Laura GIVE it to the girl. Aarrrgh!<br /><br />Here's my excuse for Marmee: she cares more about Jo as a person than she does Amy. :-)Ellen, the Bluestocking Bellehttp://bluestockingbelle.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-38470619223157856852012-10-31T00:44:08.959+11:002012-10-31T00:44:08.959+11:00I always read it as: the book is not about Amy. Jo...I always read it as: the book is not about Amy. Jo is the central character. So what we see and read is Her struggles and triumphs. I always tell my kids that no matter what happens/what other people do to us, the important thing is our response. We can't control other people, we CAN (with the Lord's help) control our actions and reactions. Is it wrong that your brother smacked you and took your toys? Yes. Will you have to answer for your brother's actions? No. Will you have to answer for your response? Yes. Therefor, it behooves you to take the high road. <br />Amy was wrong and she should have been punished. However, Jo has her own responsibilities to think about.<br />And I prefer books like this, that are more realistic, because, frankly, I'm not a perfect parent, I wasn't a perfect kid, and I hate reading books about people who are. <br />Oh, and to the commenter above... Jo didn't marry Laurie because of Amy. Jo turned him down years before he was interested in Amy. She refused him because she didn't think they would be compatible with their too-similar personalities and too-different tastes. It made me sad, too, but as an adult, I can see why it was the right thing for her to do. :)Four Little Penguinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13318283618896173183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-67045390994856756422012-10-31T00:29:14.847+11:002012-10-31T00:29:14.847+11:00Ooooo...I'm just mad reading this, Jeanne! I S...Ooooo...I'm just mad reading this, Jeanne! I SO agree...Amy is SO irritating! :) The children and I can't wait to watch the Japanese version later today! :)<br /><br />Have you seen this? It has been floating around on the web...I think it's pretty cute! http://vimeo.com/41031289Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11291951073853426272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-85472461779032343412012-10-30T23:38:36.668+11:002012-10-30T23:38:36.668+11:00I hadn't realized it, but I'd never actual...I hadn't realized it, but I'd never actually read the book before. At least not to recent memory. I love the movie and I look forward to the book, except that chapter 8! I'm with Ruby, though. The imperfections are shades of reality, I think, though not the kind of reality we expect to see in a book! Perhaps it would have been easier if Ms Alcott had stepped in as narrator and offered a criticism of Marmee's response?Sarahhttp://atsarahstable.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-42188400488878669662012-10-30T22:07:22.502+11:002012-10-30T22:07:22.502+11:00I'm with Ganeida, can't stand Little Women...I'm with Ganeida, can't stand Little Women, however I LOVE Little Men and Jo's Boys.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04448595911801738792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-12104321113813761932012-10-30T19:56:22.811+11:002012-10-30T19:56:22.811+11:00When I first read Little Women at the age of 15 I ...When I first read Little Women at the age of 15 I so much wanted Jo to marry Laurie and when I discovered that she didn't because of Amy's behaved I was very upset and angry and have never re-read the book. I always thought it was sad how Jo had to struggle so much, whilst Amy lived so well-off. I have watched the film since and quite enjoyed it but shall not be reading the book again!!!!Finding Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09882774610725490491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-5009188615853515922012-10-30T18:18:26.555+11:002012-10-30T18:18:26.555+11:00It is so long since I have read little women I can...It is so long since I have read little women I can't actually remember too much of it :-) Oh if only there were no brats, no sisters with tender consciences and mothers who knew the right thing to do and say all the time. Shades of real life perhaps :-).Rubyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09705309602853231946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143485269626703118.post-1360918435347404722012-10-30T17:27:43.996+11:002012-10-30T17:27:43.996+11:00Actually most of Little Women makes me see red. T...Actually most of <i>Little Women</i> makes me see red. The only one I like is Jo & she's always in trouble. <i>Little Men</i> is <i>much</i> better!!!! I find it difficult to believe people ever acted like that ~ but Americans so anything's possible,no? :PGaneidahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176246964466185315noreply@blogger.com