An Old-Fashioned Girl

Questions About An Old-Fashioned Girl

by Louisa May Alcott

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Answered Questions (5)

Does anybody know how Mr. Sydney was originally affiliated with the Shaw family? He was like 22 when Polly was 14 while she visited the Shaws, so what did he do? Because all I can remember is that one time he called and liked Polly's manners, but like why did he call? Who was he to them?
David Mr. Sydney's mother was good friends with the Shaws' Grandmother.…moreMr. Sydney's mother was good friends with the Shaws' Grandmother.(less)
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Who do you think was better for Polly Milton - Tom Shaw or Arthur Sydney?
Elizabeth Faustina Tom Shaw. Arthur Sydney was almost perfect, like herself, so their personalities would have clashed.
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Is there any romance in this book?
Ellie In the subtle, gentle way that Alcott usually uses, yes. By modern standards, rather little.
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A sweet old fashioned book. Some of the grammar was jarring, i.e., "Fan don't need me, and Sydney don't care whether I come or not...". Was this grammatical in 1869? When did it change?
Sheila Samuelson Honestly it was how they wrote and spoke back then so i dont think they every changed it since most of her books are rarely changed and most of them a…moreHonestly it was how they wrote and spoke back then so i dont think they every changed it since most of her books are rarely changed and most of them are left as they were when the first copy was printed 153 years ago!!(less)
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Were the Shaws and Polly cousins? Because in the book I read, it said they were on the back of the book, but it didn't say at all in the book. Plus, Polly and Tom got married.
Ally Blaschke I've been confused about this as well. I think the blurb on the back of the book is simply incorrect. There is no mention of them being cousins. "She …moreI've been confused about this as well. I think the blurb on the back of the book is simply incorrect. There is no mention of them being cousins. "She was rather impressed by the elegance about her, never having seen Fanny's home before, as they got acquainted while Fanny paid a visit to a friend who lived near Polly." (p. 9)(less)
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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