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

"Well, dearies, how have you got on today? There was so much to do, getting the boxes ready to go tomorrow, that I didn't come home to dinner. Has anyone called, Beth? How is your cold, Meg? Jo, you look tired to death. Come and kiss me, baby."

“小宝贝们，今天过得怎么样？我事情太多，要准备好明天就得发出的箱子，没能回家吃饭。有人来过吗，贝思？你感冒好点没有，梅格？乔，你看上去累极了，来吻我吧，宝贝。”

While making these maternal inquiries Mrs. March got her wet things off, her warm slippers on, and sitting down in the easy chair, drew Amy to her lap, preparing to enjoy the happiest hour of her busy day. The girls flew about, trying to make things comfortable, each in her own way. Meg arranged the tea table, Jo brought wood and set chairs, dropping, over-turning, and clattering everything she touched. Beth trotted to and fro between parlor kitchen, quiet and busy, while Amy gave directions to everyone, as she sat with her hands folded.

马奇太太慈爱地一一询问，一面换去湿衣物，穿上暖和的拖鞋，坐在安乐椅中，把艾美拉到膝边，准备享受繁忙的一天中最幸福的时光。姑娘们纷纷行动起来，各显身手，尽量把一切都布置得舒适怡人。梅格摆茶桌，乔搬木柴并放椅子，却把柴丢落一地，把椅子也打翻，弄得咔嗒直响，贝思在客厅和厨房之间匆匆来回穿梭，忙碌而安静，而艾美则袖手旁观，发号施令。

As they gathered about the table, Mrs. March said, with a particularly happy face, "I've got a treat for you after supper."

大家都聚到桌边的时候，马奇太太说：“用饭后，我有好东西给你们。”她的脸上有一种异乎寻常的快乐。

A quick, bright smile went round like a streak of sunshine. Beth clapped her hands, regardless of the biscuit she held, and Jo tossed up her napkin, crying, "A letter! A letter! Three cheers for Father!"

姐妹们脸上立即现出如阳光般灿烂的笑容。贝思顾不得手里拿着饼干，拍起了手掌，乔把餐巾一抛，嚷道：“信！信！爸爸万岁！”

"Yes, a nice long letter. He is well, and thinks he shall get through the cold season better than we feared. He sends all sorts of loving wishes for Christmas, and an especial message to you girls," said Mrs. March, patting her pocket as if she had got a treasure there.
　　
“是的，一封令人愉快的长信。他一切都好，冬季也不会熬得很苦，我们不必担忧。他祝我们圣诞快乐，事事如意，并特别问候你们这些姑娘们，”马奇太太边说边用手摸着衣袋，似乎里头装着珍宝。

"Hurry and get done! Don't stop to quirk your little finger and simper over your plate, Amy," cried Jo, choking on her tea and dropping her bread, butter side down, on the carpet in her haste to get at the treat.
　
“快点吃饭！别停下来弯起你的小手指边吃边傻笑，艾美，”乔嚷道，她因为急不可耐地要听信，被茶噎了一口，涂了奶油的面包也掉落到地毯上。

词汇释义

1.maternal adj. 母亲的, 母系的, 母方的

Your maternal instincts go deeper than you think.
你的母性本能远比你想像的强.

2.clatter n. 卡搭声, 哗啦声, 嘈杂的谈笑声 v. 发出哗啦声, 卡搭卡搭的响, 喧闹的谈笑

Don't clatter your knives and forks.
不要让你的刀叉碰击出声。

3.trot v. 小跑, 快步走, 赶紧

The horse trotted down the road.
马在路上小跑着。

4.streak n.条纹

A fleck or streak of color.
彩色斑点或条纹

5.toss v. 投掷, 摇荡, 辗转

The children tossed the ball to each other.
孩子们互相把球扔来扔去。

6.treat n. 乐事，乐趣

These performances are a great treat to me.
看这些表演节目对我来说是一大乐事。

难句解析

1.While making these maternal inquiries Mrs. March got her wet things off, her warm slippers on, and sitting down in the easy chair, drew Amy to her lap, preparing to enjoy the happiest hour of her busy day.

【难句解析】句子的主干是Mrs. March got...drew...;sitting down...和preparing...做伴随状语；

【句子翻译】马奇太太慈爱地一一询问，一面换去湿衣物，穿上暖和的拖鞋，坐在安乐椅中，把艾美拉到膝边，准备享受繁忙的一天中最幸福的时光。