An Old-Fashioned Girl

An Old-fashioned girl by Louisa May Alcott is a wonderful story of two different types of girlhood. When Polly Milton, who is from the country, goes and visits her friend Fanny Shaw, who lives in the city. Polly sets an example like no other, though she doesn’t know it. And meanwhile she feels awfully odd, in a world of tinkling earrings, elegant gowns, hair piled up on the tops of heads, and girls dripping in jewelry. Since she is from a world of simple, unadorned ears, plain frocks and aprons, hair worn naturally, and bare hands and necks. And with Tom, Fanny’s brother, tormenting Polly every minute, she finds herself longing for home. But she pushes through trials and discomfort, and finds a home-like comfort in Fanny’s Grandmother. (who is also old-fashioned.) by the end of her visit she has taught the Shaws many lessons they would never forget. The story continues on over the course of many more visits, as Polly encounters many challenges with; friendship, love, and staying true to her values, as she steers her ship through the many hardships of growing up.