The Art of Romance

so done with this

Today I am angry.

Why am I angry you ask? Well, let me tell you.

A number of months ago, I picked up a somewhat old book, a "modern" biography of Louisa May Alcott. Modern meaning written in the late 70s and (as far as I can see) heavily influenced by the opinions of that time. The writer, a female, is almost decidedly feminist. Which I can tolerate, as long as I'm still learning something about LMA and her life. I'll finish the book (probably) and impress some poor victim with my new knowledge.

But do you want to know what I cannot stand? In the first chapter, the author gives a brief summary explaining the home and family life of Louisa, and how that very likely that influenced her in the writing of Little Women. She explains what a hit the book was, and touches on how loved and looked up to Jo March was. She follows it with explaining that no one wanted to be like the other sisters, heavily implying that the more feminine sisters were weak and shallow. Can I just say:: UMMMMM NO. NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo. Nope. No. Get out.

I have always related more to Jo than any other character in the book. Her wild tomboyish youth, her sharp tongue, her writerly ways. She and I, in many ways, are very much the same person. And I know there are many girls who relate to her. BUT: that does not make her sisters, her feminine, docile, pretty, kind and nurturing sisters weak or uninteresting.

MEG: was motherly. She was nurturing and elegant and appreciative of the beauty of all things. She wanted to be a homemaker, a wife and a mother. This DOES NOT make her uninteresting. Rather it made her a role model for me. If I could be half as kind and elegant and lovely as Meg, I truly feel as if I would have succeeded in life as a woman. While we're still talking about Meg, this author said the Meg's reward was a (poor) husband as boring as herself. I won't go on for years about it, but if a intelligent, romantic, hardworking, caring, morally upstanding husband is a boring husband, then I can honestly say I want a boring husband, poor or not.

BETH: was sweet. She was innocent and kind and delightful. Jo longed to be as wonderful as Beth, I long to be as wonderful as Beth. Beth is the most perfect example of a kind, brave self-sacrificing soul that I can think of. The book never once said anything about her being nice to look at, but she was in every way the most beautiful character in that story.

AMY: was determined. For those who don't know, Amy was based on Louisa's sister, May, who was the kind of person to persist in asking and working for something until she got it, because she realized that if she did not stick up for herself, then no one would ever bother to do it. Now that you know about the base, let me tell you about my girl Amy. Amy wanted to be a lady. Yes, this meant she wanted to be beautiful. Do you know what else this meant? It meant she wanted to be accomplished and socially graceful and respected. She accomplished this, not by kicking and screaming and demanding that every man give her the respect she thought she deserved, but by freaking earning it. She wanted to be beautiful, she learned what beauty truly meant. She wanted to be accomplished, she worked her butt off training her talent so she could be an accomplished artist, in spite of every trial and all the ridicule she got because of it. She wanted to be socially graceful, she learned what it meant to be agreeable and kind and sympathetic and respectful. She wanted to be respected, she. earned. it. She worked to get it. And she got it. She was beautiful and accomplished and graceful and respected and had a husband who loved her, and was a loving wife and mother. That's what it means to be a freakin lady. Take. Freakin. Notes.

I'm so done.