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

Tumultuous applause followed but received an unexpected check, for the cot bed, on which the dress circle was built, suddenly shut up and extinguished the enthusiastic audience. Roderigo and Don Pedro flew to the rescue, and all were taken out unhurt, though many were speechless with laughter. The excitement had hardly subsided when Hannah appeared, with "Mrs. March's compliments, and would the ladies walk down to supper."

接下来响起了热烈的掌声，正当此时，那座用作花楼的帆布床突然折拢，把热情洋溢的观众压倒。罗德力戈和唐·佩德罗飞身前来抢救，众人虽然毫发无损，但全都笑得说不出话来。大家刚刚恢复神态，罕娜进来说：“马奇太太致以祝贺，并请女士们下来用餐。”

This was a surprise even to the actors, and when they saw the table, they looked at one another in rapturous amazement. It was like Marmee to get up a little treat for them, but anything so fine as this was unheard of since the departed days of plenty. There was ice cream, actually two dishes of it, pink and white, and cake and fruit and distracting french bonbons and, in the middle of the table, four great bouquets of hot house flowers.

大家一阵惊喜，连演员亦不例外。看到桌子上摆着的东西，她们高兴得互相对望，同时都感到十分奇怪。妈妈平时也会弄点吃的款待她们，不过自从告别了宽裕的日子以来，这样的好东西连听都没听说过。桌子上摆着雪糕--而且有两碟，一碟粉红色，一碟白色--还有蛋糕、水果和迷人的法式夹心糖，桌子中间还摆着四束美丽的温室鲜花！

It quite took their breath away, and they stared first at the table and then at their mother, who looked as if she enjoyed it immensely.

这情景使她们大为惊讶。她们看看饭桌，又看看自己的母亲，母亲也显得非常高兴。

词汇释义

1.tumultuous adj.喧哗的，骚动的，激动的

The political conversation was very tumultuous; but the senator, by his speech, cast oil on the troubled water.
那场政治会谈的气氛非常激烈, 但这位参议员的发言使气氛和缓下来。

2.extinguish v. 熄减, 消减, 偿清

We have to extinguish the memory of the defeat.
我们必须抹去对那次失败的记忆。

3.subside vi. 沉没,平息

He waited until the applause had subsided.
他一直等到掌声平息后才继续下去。

4.rapturous adj. 着迷的, 狂喜的

Her new novel was greeted by reviewers with rapturous applause.
她的新小说备受书评家推崇.

5.bonbon n. 棒棒糖, 夹心糖

He likes to eat bonbon very much.
他非常喜欢吃糖果。