The themes of "An Old Fashioned Girl," the major being useful femininity, the minor being money, are tied together by the strand of healthy work. At first while reading this book, I was concerned by the strong presence of early feminism through the story, but Alcott's feminism is attractive and good. In one chapter, five single girls (though one is engaged) gather for an spontaneous picnic while discussing the ideal woman. Four of the girls are working girls--an artist, a sculpter, a music teacher, and an author--, and the fifth is inspired to spend her free time more usefully. Their ideal woman is strong, diligent, intelligent, and, relievingly, distinctly feminine. Alcott shows her ideal woman in development throughout the story, whose primary trait seems to be helpful, cheerful service to others.
The characters in "An Old Fashioned Girl" are presented with two paths of femininity. The first is self-centered and vain: concerned primarily in comfort, fashion, and romance. Alcott is careful to present the fun of fashion and society as well as its perils, because even the girl who is growing into the ideal woman enjoys pretty clothes and a night of beautiful music or dancing. Polly also falls into the temptation of flirtation and selfishness, though. The other path of femininity enjoys life and beauty, but adds to it by serving others or producing truly beautiful things. The ideal woman loves others and seeks their good through involvement in the arts, politics, family, and friendships. Alcott shows that a social life is necessary, but should not be the focus of life, and presents some of the temptations of pursuing pleasure. She exhorts her readers to see the work that is uniquely available to women, and pursue a useful path of femininity.
Masculinity is less developed, but shown in complement to femininity. The gentleman knows how to have fun, takes responsibility for his actions, and always treats women and girls as ladies. Alcott's ideal man would spur on women to femininity by providing a natural object of service, and by inspiring women by their own character. Her man is obviously not complete, but sufficiently furthers her presentation of femininity.
The second theme in Alcott's novel is money. The two main girls are contrasted by their financial circumstances, but Alcott shows throughout the book that it is not how much money one has, but rather how one uses the time and money available to them. Dishonorable poor are distinguished from the honorable poor in how they arrive at their poverty: the honorable are diligent and full of integrity. Wealth has two ethical sides also. The wealthy can be wasteful and greedy or unthankful, or they can modestly use their wealth to help others. Alcott demonstrates that lack or possession of money is an opportunity for good or for evil.
In considering how the characters used their time and money, I again paused with concern, for Alcott seemed inconsistent in portraying the culpability of her characters. At times, the characters recognized their failings, owned up to them, and "manfully" strove to change. Other times, she dismissed her characters failings as ignorance or distraction, especially when saying that the rich could be using their wealth to help the honorable poor find work. Upon further consideration, I concluded that when characters show responsibility for their actions, they do so individually. The glossed over faults are more general. Alcott seems to be using forgiveness to call her readers into the useful femininity she presents by saying that most of the wasteful rich are simply not aware of the need around them and the means they have to serve those needs. Then she shows her readers how to confess their faults and change by the individual actions of the main characters. In the meantime, this provides those who are already serving others with an opportunity to avoid judging those whom they see not serving.
The elementary student would enjoy the first five chapters of the book, describing Polly, Fanny, and Tom's childhood, but much of the remaining chapters would go over her head. Instead, the book should spur on a child beginning to develop her femininity, such as an intermediate child. The intermediate student would also be helped by some supplementation: coincide the reading of "An Old Fashioned Girl" with discussions of biblical masculinity and femininity, as well as an introduction to the feminist movement, especially noting its departure from proper gender roles.
