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

"A gloomy wood," according to the one playbill, was represented by a few shrubs in pots, green baize on the floor, and a cave in the distance. This cave was made with a clothes horse for a roof, bureaus for walls, and in it was a small furnace in full blast, with a black pot on it and an old witch bending over it. The stage was dark and the glow of the furnace had a fine effect, especially as real steam issued from the kettle when the witch took off the cover. A moment was allowed for the first thrill to subside, then Hugo, the villain, stalked in with a clanking sword at his side, a slouching hat, black beard, mysterious cloak, and the boots. After pacing to and fro in much agitation, he struck his forehead, and burst out in a wild strain, singing of his hatred for Roderigo, his love for Zara, and his pleasing resolution to kill the one and win the other. The gruff tones of Hugo's voice, with an occasional shout when his feelings overcame him, were very impressive, and the audience applauded the moment he paused for breath. Bowing with the air of one accustomed to public praise, he stole to the cavern and ordered Hagar to come forth with a commanding, "What ho, minion! I need thee!"

几株盆栽灌木、铺在地板上的绿色厚毛呢，以及远处的一个洞穴构成了节目单上的"阴森森的树林"，洞穴用晒衣架做洞顶，衣柜做墙壁，里头有一个熊熊燃烧着的小炉子，一个老巫婆正俯身把弄炉上的一个黑锅。舞台阴森黑暗，熊熊的炉火营造了良好的舞台效果。女巫揭开锅盖，锅里冒出阵阵蒸气，令人叫绝。第一阵高潮过后，歹徒雨果阔步上常他嘴上蓄着黑胡子，头上歪戴着一顶帽子，脚踏长靴，身披神秘外衣，腰间佩一把当啷作响的宝剑。他焦躁不安地来回走了几步，猛然一拍额头，放声高歌，唱他对罗德力戈的恨、对萨拉的爱，以及要杀掉仇人、赢得莎拉的心愿。雨果粗哑的嗓音和感情暴发时偶然发出的一声大喝给观众留下极其深刻的印象，他刚停下要歇口气，大家便报以热烈的掌声。他习以为常地躬身谢过，又轻轻走到洞穴，大模大样地命黑格出来：“呔！奴才！出来！”

Out came Meg, with gray horsehair hanging about her face, a red and black robe, a staff, and cabalistic signs upon her cloak. Hugo demanded a potion to make Zara adore him, and one to destroy Roderigo. Hagar, in a fine dramatic melody, promised both, and proceeded to call up the spirit who would bring the love philter.

梅格出来，脸上挂着灰色马鬃，身穿黑红二色长袍，手持拐杖，大衣上画着神秘符号。雨果向他索取两种魔药，一种可以使莎拉爱他，另一种用来毒死罗德力戈。黑格唱起优美的歌儿，答应把两种魔药都给他，接着他把送魔药的小精灵叫出来。

词汇释义

1.playbill n. 戏单, 节目单

2.baize n. 厚羊毛毯, 粗呢

3.furnace n. 炉子,熔炉,闷热地带,严峻考验

This room is like a furnace.
这屋子热得象火炉一样。

4.clanking n. 发出丁当声

The clanking tractor went along, shooting smoke out of its belly.
拖拉机铿铿地开了过去, 从车肚里喷出烟来。

5.slouching adj. 没精打采的, 懒散的

What do you think you are doing slouching across the parade ground like a bay of rags?
像一袋破布一样零零散散、没精打采地走过排练场，你们以为你们在干什么？

6.agitation n. 激动,鼓动,搅动

His talk about apartheid created agitation.
他的关于种族隔离的谈话激起了骚动。

7.gruff adj. 粗鲁的，生硬的，粗糙的，粗哑的

Don't be put off by his gruff exterior; he's really very kind underneath.
别介意他表现粗野, 其实他心地很善良.

8.cabalistic adj. 神妙的, 犹太教神秘哲学的