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Elizabeth Brink's avatar

Fantastic essay, Melody! I’ve been steeped in Charlotte Mary Yonge so much in the last year that I am struck by how similar Yonge and Alcott are. They both loved tradition and what was old fashioned when it served a moral purpose and a moral good and used their writing to make goodness lovable. They’re also similar in their view of women having their own work and purpose, which I love. I don’t know much about Alcott’s life so I loved learning a bit about her and her family’s philosophies. I’ve read Old Fashioned Girl before but it‘s been years. You inspire me to return to it!

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Melody's avatar

"To make goodness lovable--" that's it precisely! You inspire me to read CMY in 2025. Jo reads The Heir of Redclyffe in Little Women and I've been wondering how much Yonge's writing for adolescents influenced Alcott's. Love a fully human female character learning how much she can give to the world through her work.

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Elizabeth Brink's avatar

Yay for CMY in 2025! I love that Jo reads The Heir in Little Women. It is gripping!

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Dawn Duryea's avatar

What I love about Alcott's female characters is that they choose their own way and find happiness in different places. I think that accurately reflects real life. Whenever I read books of this time I try to imagine what life was like for women back then and I feel fortunate that we have more freedom today. But even now there are social pressures and we must all find our own way to happiness and that's why I think her novels are timeless. Thanks for writing this!

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Melody's avatar

Thank you, Dawn! I love that, too, about Alcott's female characters. She saw that variance and happiness in her own family and gave this great vision to her readers!

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Melody--I'm late to the party and so glad I found you here on Substack! Thank you for bringing so many great old (and new) literary works to our attention. I'll be adding this to my list.

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Melody's avatar

Good to see you here, Jody! If you love Alcott's other work you're sure to love this one, too!

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Dominika's avatar

This was such a lovely read. I've only read Little Women but I must fix that. I was having a conversation recently with my husband about how much I loathe the reductive label of 'tradwife' even though it could be applied to me (stay at home homeschooling mom). All the women in my circle of friends pursue ennobling activities that create rich lives even if it's not apparent through the cultural tunnel vision of "stark social binaries". Thank you for this!

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Melody's avatar

Thank you, Dominika! Alcott has been one of my favorites since childhood--another favorite is A Garland for Girls, which similar themes in short story form.

I get what you mean about labels. Communities are richer when folks pursue their talents and giftings for the good of everyone, rather than following trends for the sake of looking the same. People are just so interesting! And too much focus on outward appearances diminishes that.

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Dominika's avatar

Several years ago I saw a quote (the internet now tells me it's from Sarah Silverman lol) that said: “Mother Teresa didn't walk around complaining about her thighs -- she had sh** to do.” And I think about that all the time hahaha

I've added so many books to my to-read list from your substack posts this year. Now adding your recommended Alcott :)

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Melody's avatar

Haha! And right back at you :)

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Craig's avatar

Having not read much of Alcott's work, I found your descriptions to be helpful in capturing the essence of her perspective. Interestingly, what you also describe is the challenge of every generation of thinkers who grapple with the nature of their own life, the struggles of living and the dilemma of social equity. Outside of a biblical response of an active love of God and love of one's neighbor; in my opinion, answers to these questions continue to elude mankind. Thank you for sharing.

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Melody's avatar

Yes, I agree. Thank you, Craig!

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Bailey Gillespie's avatar

As an Alcott devotee, I love this piece and your newsletter! 💛

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Melody's avatar

Thank you! Alcott is the BEST. I'm going on 20 years of love for her--her work is evergreen.

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