Pictures of an Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Tilly and Prudence

From Aunt Jo'due south Fleck-Handbag comes "An Erstwhile-Fashioned Thanksgiving," i of many charming short stories Louisa May Alcott wrote later the success of
Little Women .

Story summary

It's a simple story of a time long ago and far away (very early on 19th century), starring a state family in New Hampshire, "poor in money, but rich in country and love …" Familiar themes only I never grow tired of them, particularly when the earth today is so full of doubtfulness and misery.

Takes yous to another fourth dimension

I never was a fan of descriptive writing, wishing instead for the plot line to but proceed. This story's descriptions however, folded me into its fourth dimension and place such that the Bassett farmhouse was a home I truly wanted to visit and live in, even for a brusque time:

"The big kitchen was a jolly place just now, for in the great fireplace roared a cheerful fire; on the walls hung garlands of stale apples, onions, and corn; up a loft from the beams shone crook-necked squashes, juicy hams, and dried venison . . . Savory smells were in the air; on the crane hung steaming kettles; and downwards among the red embers copper saucepans simmered, all suggestive of some approaching banquet."

Dinner with the Bassetts

The story line is elementary: Female parent and Father are called away of a sudden the day before Thanksgiving because Grandma was "failin' fast," leaving their 8 children behind. The oldest girls, Tilly and Prue, make up one's mind to finish the dinner though they had never made a turkey with stuffing before, nor had they ever cooked plum pudding. All doesn't plough out perfectly (afterwards all, young inexperienced girls in the kitchen can lead to disaster) but at the end of the day, anybody is happy, warm and fed. And the cooks have much to laugh well-nigh.

Personal reflection

The Bassetts are certainly the portrait of an platonic family unit (rather like the more modern-day Cleavers) with all 8 children getting on well with each other. Anybody is happy and healthy. We all know that moments like this were likely few and far between (and still are).

Just in this messy, modern world of broken homes, people out of piece of work, threats looming from abroad, and traditional values seemingly trashed, I found "An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving" to be the perfect escapist pleasance.

It doesn't need analysis nor critique – it's just meant to exist enjoyed.

Memories

The copy I have of Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag belonged to my mother and dates back to 1929 (with those exquisite 1920s illustrations). Every bit I turned the pages, I idea of my mother turning those same pages while allowing her active imagination to constitute her in the midst of the Bassett family and home. She may not be with me anymore simply she lives in my heart, my memories, and in her honey books which now grace my shelves.

You can read "An Quondam-Fashioned Thanksgiving" in its entirety on Google Books.

Happy Thanksgiving, anybody!

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