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Got to admit I don't have much else to say today. We've got a hint of romance, with Meg's missing glove and Mr. Brooke being so attentive of her at the picnic, but she's pretty unaware so far... or so Alcott says, anyway! But not a particularly meaty chapter.
Favorite Lines:
"Snuffbox," said Jo, in a sepulchral tone, which convulsed the audience (p. 116).
Possible Discussion Questions:
Do you think it's realistic for Meg to be so unaware of Mr. Brooke's interest?
When was the last time you went on a picnic? Do you enjoy picnics? Have any favorite picnic recipes or traditions? Please share!
I'm dragging a little behind but have been unable to post due to my mother having unexpected yet serious health issues. I'm doing my best so catch up but I've been run ragged in the last couple of weeks. I'm hoping things will settle down a little in the near future and I can have a few minutes to post my thoughts. You're doing a wonderful hosting job, as usual, Hamlette!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your mom being unwell, Cleopatra. Fear not! These posts aren't going away, and you can catch up as you have time and inclination :-)
DeleteMeg doesn't socialize with many girls about her age, I think that makes her innocence realistic. I don't know, but I did get ideas about boys and love mostly from friends and society. Marmee knows but she left Meg with her innocence (so far in this chapter).
ReplyDeleteI got most of my ideas about love and romance from books and movies, and while movies don't exist for the Marchs, books certainly do, and Jo seems to read some "thrillingly romantic" ones, so I don't think Meg is unaware of love and romance. I think she just hasn't realized that she herself could be the object of anyone's affections yet.
DeleteHmm...was Meg completely unaware? I really can't believe that she had absolutely no idea. I mean, she might have been more innocent than the average 16 (17?) year old girl today, but, even if she wasn't socializing with many girls of her own age (as bzee pointed out above), she still was reading and she wasn't totally isolated. Remember her little romantic short story for the Pickwick Papers?
ReplyDeleteCGrace, I agree it does stretch the old credulity. Perhaps she has an inkling but hasn't even really admitted it to herself as such?
DeleteShe spent all that time at the Moffats -- there was lots of flirting and such going on at their parties, and she understood the things people were implying about herself and Laurie. I guess either she doesn't think she'd someone who someone would seek out for marriage yet, or she doesn't think of Mr. Brooke as someone she herself would be interested in yet. Or she's really good at dissembling...
Now this chapter I love -- thoroughly and completely! It's all such jolly great fun. (Though, I must admit, I'm not personally a big fan of eating outside -- not for cleanliness reasons or anything, I just don't find it as comfortable!)
ReplyDeleteI've always felt it's a little unrealistic of Meg to be unaware of his interest (especially as she does love romance), so all in all, I think Alcott's trying to create a certain vision/picture of girlhood (also apparently contrasting here with the other young ladies). All that being said, I do like Meg a lot! I just end up raising an eyebrow at times thinking, "Really? You hadn't noticed the interest?" ;)
I don't like eating outside if there's wind, because then I spend all my time chasing things. Otherwise, I like it :-D
DeleteMaybe Meg is being willfully ignorant? Deliberately refusing to see Mr. Brooke's interest?
I've always enjoyed this sweet chapter, although Miss Kate did get on my nerves a little and the game of Rigmorale did carry on in such nonsense!
ReplyDeleteI love picnics - one of my favourite things to do, in fact! Especially when seated near a river...
I personally feel Meg was utterly unaware of Mr Brooke - she thought him smart and such, but maybe not someone to consider...?
But the tutor certainly is quite interested in Miss Meg - crazy as it may seem as she was just 16 or 17!
I like the Rigmarole, but Kate did annoy me.
DeletePerhaps you're right, that Meg is just too modest to expect someone older and more learned like Mr. Brooke to be interested in her.
Such a funny chapter.
ReplyDeleteIt never struck me as odd that Meg didn't notice Mr Brooks' attentions (but then again, I ma not very obervant myself so would probably be in the same situation), but I see your point. Maybe she saw him more as a family friend and not a particular friend, or maybe she is just beginning to figure it out.
Since they've been acquainted for some time by this point, like you say, she might have thought of him as more of a family friend, I can see that.
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