One thing Louisa May Alcott’s biography taught me is to never give
up. Her golden days were spent writing for fourteen hours a day. For exercise,
she would walk miles by foot. This young maiden’s experiences provided me with
hope. If this great female writer could live life to the fullest, then
certainly I could, too.
Miss Alcott lived during the Transcendentalism movement in
literature. This movement began with British philosophers and writers. Ralph
Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Bronson Alcott were the pioneers of
Transcendentalism. There have been many definitions of Transcendentalism. The best
definition refers to naturalism. Transcendentalism is a movement in literature
that creates a natural feeling of being one with the environment. This can also
be a spiritual experience. For example, later American writer Stephen Crane’s
story of brotherhood in “The Open Boat” can support arguments of fitting into
the Transcendentalist genre.
I also equate naturalism and Transcendentalism to the writings of
British poets during the seventeenth century and beyond. As a guru of fine
literature, I was assigned to read poetry from the greats of the British world.
I remember during my high school days of English, I would groan inside when
being assigned to read poetry. I really disliked dissecting poems the way a
science student dissects frogs. After surviving blood clots as an adult, the process
became more real to me. I would either have to learn terms in poetry to make my
“A” or I would fail miserably. I chose to dig into the poetry and writings. I wanted
to have a wealth of knowledge on these great writers. The more I read, the more
I understood history.
In Introduction to Law Enforcement, the British were the main Sugar
Daddies of knowledge. Our laws and philosophies stem from the British. Foot patrol,
the most effective form of policing, came from Britain. The baton also came
from Britain. Our ideas and thinking came from Britain. Being able to understand
the writings of British literature seemed important to me. One, I learned from
Peter Jennings’ biography that a great wealth of knowledge about the past will
help a person understand the future better. Two, literature and law enforcement
mix together. Three, learning British literature makes a person mature. Finally,
the British seemed to have a strong sense of confidence in their world. Perhaps
the latter is what attracts me to great authors such as William Wordsworth,
Robert Browning, Virginia Woolf, and Mary Wollstonecraft.
The world of writing can be spiritual for most of its residents. The
same is true for me as Bronson Alcott once proved. As an educator, Alcott
strongly believed that children learned best by the Socrates style instead of
rote memorization. In Socrates learning, Alcott presented a topic where
students had to think outside the box. There were no exams that included
memorization of facts. Socrates wanted his students to thrive by creating ideas
and imaginations rote memorization failed to offer. This taught students that
only one answer was not absolute, or fixed. Alternative answers were
applicable. Going one step farther, this acceptance of new ideas and thought
enabled students to branch out and become more tolerant of the abnormal. This can
be equated with the liberated program style in music. Composers like
Saint-Saens created new styles of musical expression by experimenting with
ideas and thoughts.
I don’t believe the world was ready for Bronson Alcott. I believe
Bronson Alcott might have been happier in our modern world residing over an
independent charter school or virtual high school. Many people did not attend
his lectures when he travelled. I would have probably attended every lecture of
Alcott. This man’s writings prove himself to be a man beyond his years. I would
have asked to become of his students. The greatest female student Alcott taught
turned to write great novels. I believe Miss Alcott had a fear of her Father
the way children are supposed to have. Fathers do not relish on mushiness from
their daughters. This could be why Miss Alcott did not close her letters the
same she did with female correspondences. I believe Miss Alcott understood her
Father better than anyone else did. In her book, Miss Alcott of Concord,
Marjorie Worthington once pointed that
Louisa May had a keen perception about her parents troubles better than her
three sisters. Perhaps Louisa May felt the need to protect her parents’
financially and this was her duty in life. Much like Elizabeth Cady Stanton,
Louisa May felt discomfort that she was not born a son. These patterns set
through the years.
In closing, I encourage the avenue of literature in this world. I
encourage the reading of the great British and American writers. Each day that
passes is one that needs sharpening. I read biographies, stories, and listen to
music. I love the arts. Without the arts, I do not know where I would be at
this point. I would probably be a nomadic wandering wearing neon clothes. This is
not a pretty sight. Neither is going a day without reading. I love to read. Reading
loves me in return. Reading is my window to the world. Not a day passes where
the blinds are closed to me. I love to explore new worlds and opportunities. This
is where I am not turned down for employment for having a physical disability. This
is where I can sit and read about birds and animals becoming personified by
writers. I am able to dance at balls with nice gentleman callers. I am able to
go on trips abroad and not worry about flight attendants freaking out about my
physical disability. I am able to wake up and wear clothes I normally would not
try. I am able to breathe literature and be held captive. The expressions
written on pages are not words I wish to run from. See you in literature!
