Little Women

In the long dreary nights of winter, it is always nice to put one’s nose in a book to pass the time. I have always loved reading since the long ago days of learning how with “Dick and Jane.” Who remembers them with their dog Spot, their cat Puff and their little sister Sally? No one under forty I am sure.
My favorite book in my youth was “Little Women,” by Louisa May Alcott. Through reading and rereading this much loved book, the four sisters became real characters or personages in my mind.
I loved the little part in the book where the author describes the gardens of each sister. The four girls were each given an individual plot to do with as they liked. The ever present housekeeper of the March household - Hannah - says in her thick accent, “I’d know which each of gardings belonged to, ef I see ‘em in Chiny.” Their gardens matched their personalities. Meg, the oldest, ever the romantic with her mind firmly set on marriage and becoming a wife and mother: her garden contained “roses and heliotrope, (very fragrant) myrtle, and a little orange tree.” This was clearly symbolic of Meg’s aspirations – orange blossoms are traditionally carried or worn by brides and myrtle wreaths were worn by brides in ancient Greece. Roses and heliotrope revealed her romantic nature. Jo, the tomboy of the family, who avoided anything romantic like the plague, was very adventurous. Her garden reflected her personality as well - “Jo’s bed was never alike two seasons, for she was always trying experiments. This year it was to be a plantation of sunflowers, the seeds of which cheerful land aspiring plant were to fed Aunt Cockle-top (their chicken) and her family of chicks.”
Beth, the third sister, who was fated to die an early death from her weak heart, was innocent, sweet, loving, and domestic, playing with dolls until she was a young teenager. She was always thinking of others, never herself, which indirectly caused her to get her case of scarlet fever – leading to her rheumatic heart. Her garden was full of nostalgic and sweet delicate flowers – “Beth had old-fashioned fragrant flowers in her garden, sweet peas and mignonette, larkspur, pinks, pansies, and southernwood, with chickweed for the birds and catnip for the kitties.” The southernwood, also known as Artemisia or Wormwood, traditionally known as the bitterest herb – may have symbolized her early death – indeed, bitter tears were shed by many for the sweet Beth after she died.
Amy, the youngest sister, was known as the artist of the March family. Amy’s garden reflected her artistic bent – “Amy had a bower in hers, rather small and earwiggy, but very pretty to look at, with honeysuckle and morning-glories hanging their colored horns and bells in graceful wreaths all over it, tall white lilies, delicate ferns, and as many brilliant, picturesque plants as would consent to blossom there.” The tall white lilies probably represent her pride, which was one of the character flaws Amy struggled with.
Quotes are from the book “Little Women,” by Louisa May Alcott.
Words in parentheses are my additions.