The Secret Victorianist recentlyread 1869 novel An Old-Fashioned Girlby Louisa May Alcott (of Little Womenfame).
In her Preface, Alcott wrote ofthe story’s didacticism:
The Old-Fashioned Girl is not intended asa perfect model, but as a possible improvement upon the Girl of the Period, whoseems sorrowfully ignorant or ashamed of the good old fashions which make womantruly beautiful and honored, and, through her, render home what it should be -a happy place, where parents and children, brothers and sisters, learn to loveand know and help one another.
What then ‘should’ agirl be and do to maintain domestic happiness, according to this nineteenth-centurywriter? Below are five lessons that Alcott and her heroine, Polly, taught me.
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| Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) |
1. She shouldn’t go to theatre
Fourteen-year-old Polly isscandalised when she is taken to a play with suggestive humour and beguilingactresses:
"I know it wasn't proper for littlegirls to see, or I shouldn't have been so ashamed!" cried sturdy Polly,perplexed, but not convinced, even by Mrs. Smythe Perkins.
"I think you are right, my dear; butyou have lived in the country, and haven't yet learned that modesty has goneout of fashion." And with a good-night kiss, grandma left Polly to dreamdreadfully of dancing in jockey costume, on a great stage; while Tom played abig drum in the orchestra; and the audience all wore the faces of her fatherand mother, looking sorrowfully at her, with eyes like saucers, and faces asred as Fanny's sash.
2. She shouldn’t lose her temper
Polly is (predictably) skilled inthe kitchen but doesn’t lose her cool when her friend’s brother/her own futurehusband eats the fruits of her labour.
Polly was not a model girl by any means,and had her little pets and tempers like the rest of us; but she didn't fight,scream, and squabble with her brothers and sisters in this disgraceful way, andwas much surprised to see her elegant friend in such a passion. "Oh,don't! Please, don't! You'll hurt her, Tom! Let him go, Fanny! It's no matterabout the candy; we can make some more!" cried Polly, trying to part them,and looking so distressed, that they stopped ashamed, and in a minute sorrythat she should see such a display of temper.
3. She should notice others’ failings but only correct them byexample
Polly manages totransform the Shaw household but rarely by expressing her opinion.
Polly wished the children would be kinderto grandma; but it was not for her to tell them so, although it troubled her agood deal, and she could only try to make up for it by being as dutiful andaffectionate as if their grandma was her own.
4. She should exercise, but not to display herself
Polly’s pursuits areentirely wholesome (the antithesis of novels).
Another thing that disturbed Polly was thewant of exercise…At home, Polly ran and rode, coasted and skated, jumped ropeand raked hay, worked in her garden and rowed her boat; so no wonder she longedfor something more lively than a daily promenade with a flock of giddy girls,who tilted along in high-heeled boots, and costumes which made Polly ashamed tobe seen with some of them. So she used to slip out alone sometimes, when Fannywas absorbed in novels, company, or millinery, and get fine brisk walks round thepark, on the unfashionable side, where the babies took their airings; or shewent inside, to watch the boys coasting, and to wish she could coast too, asshe did at home. She never went far, and always came back rosy and gay.
5. She should love in silence
As an adult, Pollysuffers silently with her love for Tom throughout his engagement to another andhis lengthy absence after going west. Her modesty is so extreme that she neveractively confesses it, even to her friend, and it's not even made overt in the narration.
"Polly, is it Tom?"
Poor Polly was so taken by surprise, thatshe had not a word to say. None were needed; her telltale face answered forher, as well as the impulse which made her hide her head in the sofa cushion,like a foolish ostrich when the hunters are after it.
No novels, no playsand no opinions, a foolish ostrich who cannot escape her own desire to wed – that’swhat we taught girls then. What do we teach them today?
Whatnineteenth-century novel would you like to see the Secret Victorianist readnext? Let me know – here, on Facebookor by tweeting@SVictorianist.
