An Old Fashioned Girl Essay

1185 Words3 Pages

Trying Excellence
Throughout the story An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott, Polly Milton learns the highs and lows of society life in visits to a rich friend. At the time of her first visit, Polly is 14, but has never been exposed to the fads and fashions of society life. At first she wonders at her friend’s riches and elegant pleasures, but eventually finds out that the things she does possess, good health and a loving family, are more precious than the finest jewel. Because Polly does not allow herself to be spoiled by the censure of the world, she makes her friend Fanny Shaw’s house a more cheerful place both when she is 14 and when she returns at 20. Though it is sometimes difficult, Polly is always kind and usually lively, with a reflective nature.
Polly is invariably kind, even when she could gain by being selfish. The very first day of her visit, …show more content…

society. Polly is visiting a rich friend whose life is determined by fads and fashions. The society she is introduced to cares more about being popular than being good. The basis of the conflict is that Polly’s conscience rebels against the immoral entertainment offered to her, but she finds it hard to resist temptation. Throughout the story her friends, her enemies, and her acquaintances do not understand that fashion and fads do not determine morality. The conflict is developing before Polly even understands this fact herself. The day she arrives, Polly is informed of several things that she should not do by Fanny, so the girls at the stylish school Fanny attends do not think Polly is countrified. The next day, she visits the theater and finds immorality in the spectators and immodesty in the actors. This starts Polly thinking about morality, immorality, and how conforming to society in everything can generate worse results than

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