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

In spite of her small vanities, Margaret had a sweet and pious nature, which unconsciously influenced her sisters, especially Jo, who loved her very tenderly, and obeyed her because her advice was so gently given.

玛格丽特虽然有点爱慕虚荣，但她天性温柔善良，颇得姐妹们敬重，特别是乔，更是深深地爱着自己的姐姐，并对她言听计从，因为她无论说什么都总是轻声细语的。

"Girls," said Meg seriously, looking from the tumbled head beside her to the two little night-capped ones in the room beyond, "Mother wants us to read and love and mind these books, and we must begin at once. We used to be faithful about it, but since Father went away and all this war trouble unsettled us, we have neglected many things. You can do as you please, but I shall keep my book on the table here and read a little every morning as soon as I wake, for I know it will do me good and help me through the day."
　　
“姑娘们，”梅格严肃地说，看看身边头发蓬乱的一位，又看看房间另一头戴着睡帽的两个小脑袋，”妈妈希望我们爱惜这些书，读好这些书，我们应该立即行动。虽然我们以前做得挺认真，但自从爸爸离家后，战乱七繁，我们忽略了许多事。你们爱怎样我不管，但我要把书放在这张桌上，每天早上一醒来就读一点，因为我知道，这样会有好处，它将伴我度过每一天。”

Then she opened her new book and began to read. Jo put her arm round her and, leaning cheek to cheek, read also, with the quiet expression so seldom seen on her restless face.

说完她打开新书读了起来，乔用胳膊拥着她，与她并肩而读，不安分的脸上露出少见的宁静。

词汇释义

1.vanity ['væniti] n. 虚荣心, 浮华, 无价值的东西 adj. 虚荣心的

Vanity is his Achilles' heel.
虚荣自负是他的致命伤。

2.pious adj. 虔诚的, 尽责的, 值得的

He is a pious Christian.
他是一名虔诚的基督教徒。

3.tumble n. 跌倒,混乱 vi. 跌倒,下跌,倒塌,翻跟斗,偶然发现,理解 vt. 使摔倒,使混乱,翻滚

The little girl stared at the little cats tumbling over each other in their basket.
小女孩凝视着在篮子里互相翻来滚去的小猫。

4.restless ['restlis] adj. 不安宁的, 焦虑的

The audience was becoming restless.
观众渐渐地不耐烦了。