Little House book concerns ?

I’ve read what these people, who are surely well-intentioned, think about Little House, Alcott, Anne of Green Gables, and I think that while they are surely well-intentioned, they are coming out in practice as ninnies.  I think they are totally, completely nuts and so far off base here they can’t even see the diamond.  I am not now and do not consider myself to be a feminist, but to be honest I feel that these folks would like to blast women back to the dark ages.  I want to be a godly woman, and I’ve been blessed with marriage, children and home, and they are my everything.  But I have lots of friends that have NOT been so blessed, and I’m glad they can be educated, work, and contribute to the world in positive ways.  And I think anyone who has a problem with that is cracked.  I use the Holy Spirit when reading a book for my guide.  If He objects, then I object.  And I’ve read the Little House series maybe forty times through–maybe more!  Really!  since I was four years old, and I’ve never, ever felt the objection of the Holy Spirit.  We all have to make our own decisions for our families but anyone that could object to these excellent, warm, family-centered books just because Rose Wilder Lane had issues is crazy.  These folks cast aspersions on good people and try to judge whether others are “Christian” or  not, and I have zero patience with them.  Honey, there are probably people who became feminists because they read the BIBLE.  Shall we decide on the basis of that that no one should read it????  OF COURSE NOT.  That would be a travesty.  So would missing these books. 

DITTO what Bookworm said. I love Little House, Anne, Narnia, LM Alcott and more and my walk with the Lord has not been hindered in any way, but strenthened. I, too, love being a wife and mother and was not moved toward feminism because of any of these books.

I’ve read the articles at KOF in the past regarding classic literature and I could not disagree more with their assertions. Personally, I choose not to order their products, even those that I may like, based upon how they do cast aspersions and judge the salvation of others. That is a personal conviction and I don’t expect others to adhere to it, but it is my conviction nonetheless.

I would encourage you to read the books yourself and allow the Spirit to guide you, asking for wisdom and discernment. Do not let the opinion of one group, keep you from finding some real treasures. If, as you read, you sense that the Lord would not have you read this series (or any other book), put it aside. The Lord has gifted his children with discernment and promises wisdom to those who ask. 

If you don’t mind me mentioning Alcott’s Little Women (only because I just cried over it this weekend…again), I always feel so moved to serve my family more after reading about the March sisters. Jo, who begins a tomboy in the book, proves to be the greatest of women in the end as she loves marriage, family and children. I cry every time. And with The Pilgrim’s Progress as one theme in the book, I must say that I just about rank Little Women up there with Elizabeth Prentiss’ Stepping Heavenward.

Janell

That site has some wonderful materials and they seem like they are people with good hearts.  But their book reviews are way off base, IMHO.  They ban C.S Lewis, too!!!!  Gina

Oh, I wish I had more time to reply… while we’re not “banning” those books at our house, I have to say that I did really appreciate the KofF critiques, because now I don’t just consider those books “wholesome” good literature.  I think they have a point when they suggest that the person in the story we are made to WANT to be, is the one who shuns traditional roles for women and even the “naughty” one – so to speak.  Now, i still think they are fun, worthwhile stories, but I will be pointing out to my daughters how God calls us to live, versus how these characters actually did live (worthwhile to do with ANY literature).  In the meantime, may I suggest you read some missionary stories or Christian biographies – if you want to have your daughters striving to be like someone they read about – it’s always better to have them striving to be like a real life Christian “hero” than a fictional character.  The last point that I would like to make is that if you have a daughter that already leans toward the unconventional or even “naughty” way of doing things, you may want to reconsider exposing her to these books in great quantity.  Hope that divergent view is helpful as opposed to confusing to you!

Blessings,

Rebekah (mother of four daughters… AKA – Mrs. March )

Rebekah, I appreciate what you are saying, but I think that if you have a daughter who is struggling with her God-given role, then it is EXACTLY Laura, Anne, Jo, and Betsy that you OUGHT to have her reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (Can I put in any more exclamation points? LOL)  I was one of those little girls.  I read those books.  Do you know what these “fictional characters” taught me?  Laura Ingalls–that one does not have to be pretty and blonde and passive to be a good woman, an excellent devoted wife and a loving mother.  What did Anne teach me?  That a smart girl can choose to marry and raise a lovely family and be happier than she ever imagined.  Do you know what Jo taught me?  That the thing in the whole world of most value, even if you are a famous author, is loving children and teaching them.  Caddie?  That even someone who is tomboyish as a child can be a fantastic mom.  Betsy?  That smart writers can be happily married and can long for motherhood above all else.  Because do you know what all these fictional characters CHOSE OF THEIR OWN FREE WILLS to do?  Marry and have children.  And LOVE it.  Every single one of them.  These are NOT rebellious characters we should protect our slightly different daughters from.  They are the very role models to show them the way.  They helped show me the way, with God’s grace also of course.  But you see, I grew up believing that it was the pretty, sweet, blonde girls without a brain in their heads who were the “good” girls.  I was NOT that girl, so therefore I’d better plan on some other career, huh, because obviously something was “wrong” with me.  But when I kept READING the books, the funniest thing happened–those scab-kneed girls chose to marry and have babies and they loved it.  The first dawning of the idea that it wasn’t a requirement to be a Mary Ingalls clone to be a “good” woman.  Those characters are the HOPE of the girls who don’t “fit the mold.”  They are the proof that although God makes girls who like bugs, snakes, climbing trees and skipping stones, those very girls can still grow up, marry, scrapbook, make their own bread, have a houseful of boys (and girls, and snakes, and . . . )  and have a wonderful life.  Not a single one of these fictional characters “shunned traditional roles for women”  They chose them ANYWAY, DESPITE obstacles and being the “wrong type”.  They were not naughty–they were just not perfect.  Since I’ve never known a little girl who WAS already, then these stories have infinite value.  If I had a daughter, I’d point her to these stories in a HEARTBEAT. 

I would not worry so much about feminism as we think of it. Louisa May Alcott wasa Transcendaalist. I don’t know about the author or the Anne books but I detect a lot of transcendentalist themes in her books too. There is a lot Transcendentalists say that is true and seems to me to be both biblical and in line with Charlotte Mason’s teachings. Their views of finding truth through nature and spurning traditional learning are certainly needed today. But they are not Christian. They do not seem to acknowledge a personal God and His revelations in the form of Scripture. And as a result I woudl not agree with their view of human nature. Having said which, I let my daughter read all these books. I think the wrong ideas are subtle and there are good ideas as well. Perhaps as she is older we will discuss them but at 9, she is oblivious to the undercurrents I see.

I have no such problems with the Little House books.