这部小说以家庭生活为描写对象，以家庭成员的感情纠葛为线索，描写了马奇一家的天伦之爱。马奇家的四姐妹中，无论是为了爱情甘于贫困的海格，还是通过自己奋斗成为作家的乔，以及坦然面对死亡的贝思和以扶弱为己任的艾米，虽然她们的理想和命运都不尽相同，但是她们都具有自强自立的共同特点。描写了她们对家庭的眷恋；对爱的忠诚以及对亲情的渴望。

名著阅读

CHAPTER ONE第一章

PLAYING PILGRIMS 朝圣

Elizabeth, or Beth, as everyone called her, was a rosy, smooth- haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression which was seldom disturbed. Her father called her 'Little Miss Tranquility', and the name suited her excellently, for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved. Amy, though the youngest, was a most important person, in her own opinion at least. A regular snow maiden, with blue eyes, and yellow hair curling on her shoulders, pale and slender, and always carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners. What the characters of the four sisters were we will leave to be found out.

伊丽莎白，人称贝思，十三岁，肤色红润，秀发润泽，目如秋波。她举止腼腆，声音羞怯，神情宁静而深远，被父亲称为"小宁静"，此名非她莫属，因为她似乎独个生活在自己的伊甸园中，只敢出来会会几个最亲最信任的人。艾美虽然最小，却是个十分重要的人物。至少她自我感觉如此。她生得纤细端庄，肌骨晶莹，一双蓝眼睛，金黄色的头发卷曲披落肩头，言谈举止十足一个讲究风度的年轻女子。四姐妹的性格如何，我们后面分解。

The clock struck six and, having swept up the hearth, Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm. Somehow the sight of the old shoes had a good effect upon the girls, for Mother was coming, and everyone brightened to welcome her. Meg stopped lecturing, and lighted the lamp, Amy got out of the easy chair without being asked, and Jo forgot how tired she was as she sat up to hold the slippers nearer to the blaze.

时钟敲响六下，贝思已经扫干净壁炉地面，把一双便鞋放到上面烘干。看到这双旧鞋子，姑娘们想起妈妈就要回家了，心情明朗起来，准备迎接妈妈。梅格停止了训导，点上了灯。艾美不用人说，就离开了安乐椅。乔则坐起来把鞋子挪近火边，一时忘却了疲倦。

"They are quite worn out. Marmee must have a new pair."

“鞋子太破旧了，妈咪得换双新的。”

"I thought I'd get her some with my dollar," said Beth.

“我想用自己的钱给她买一双，”贝思说。

"No, I shall!" cried Amy.

“不，我来买！”艾美嚷道。

"I'm the oldest," began Meg, but Jo cut in with a decided, "I'm the man of the family now Papa is away, and I shall provide the slippers, for he told me to take special care of Mother while he was gone." "I'll tell you what we'll do," said Beth, "let's each get her something for Christmas, and not get anything for ourselves." "That's like you, dear! What will we get?" exclaimed Jo.

“我最大，”梅格刚开口，就被乔坚决地打断了--“爸爸不在家，我就是家里的男子汉了，鞋子我来买。因为爸爸跟我说过，他不在家的时候要我好好照顾妈妈。”“依我说应该这么着，”贝思说，”我们各自给妈妈送件圣诞礼物，我们自己什么都别要了。”“那才像你！好妹妹，送什么好呢？”乔嚷道。

Everyone thought soberly for a minute, then Meg announced, as if the idea was suggested by the sight of her own pretty hands, "I shall give her a nice pair of gloves." "Army shoes, best to be had," cried Jo.

大家都认真想了一会，梅格似乎从自己漂亮的双手得到启发，宣布道：“我要给妈妈送一双精致的手套。”“最好送双军鞋，”乔高声说道。

词汇释义

1.timid ['timid] adj. 胆怯的, 害羞的

He is a timid boy; it's impossible for him to brawl with anyone.
他是一个胆小的男孩, 他不可能和任何人吵架。

2.Tranquility n. 宁静

We all like the tranquility of the country life.
我们都喜欢乡村生活的宁静。

3.venture n. 冒险, 风险, 投机 vt. 敢尝试, 谨慎地做, 冒险一试 vi. 冒险做

He ventured his life to save a little girl from drowning.
他冒生命危险救起了一个小女孩, 使她免于淹死。

4.maiden ['meidn] n. 未婚女子, 断头机, 从未赢过的赛马 adj. 未婚的, 处女的, 初次的

The prince fall in love with a fair young maiden.
王子爱上了一位美丽的年轻少女。

5.slipper n. 拖鞋

She has pretty dancing slippers and comfortable bedroom slippers.
她有漂亮的舞鞋和舒适的卧室拖鞋。

6.lecture v. 讲课, 教导 n. 演讲, 教训, 斥责

He lectured to his students on modern writers.
他给学生们讲了关于现代作家的一课。

7.blaze [bleiz] n. 火焰, 烈火

The firemen were unable to control the blaze.
消防队员无法控制这场大火。