March

It is now January, outside Harper’s Ferry. Mr. March writes his next letter to Marmee. He explains how he feels well-suited for his position as a non-denominational chaplain. Recently, he calmed a guilt-ridden soldier by telling him that there was no literal hell. He describes the winter weather and notes that “it was on just such a crisp and luminous day” that they first met (59). He stops writing and thinks back to this time in his life.

They met at Marmee’s brother’s chapel. Mr. March was giving a sermon that denounced the president’s exclusion of his slave from a state funeral for six men who died in a military accident. Five of the men were officially mourned, but the slave was not given this respect. Mr. March noticed a young woman sitting in the audience and was immediately taken by her. She looked up and their eyes locked, making it difficult for him to remain focused on his sermon. After the service he was introduced to her. She, Marmee Day, joined him at dinner, along with many others in their common circle. He quickly fell in love with her. The next day, she spoke “freely, and fiercely, on the particular deficiencies in female education” (62).