Quiet and shy, Lizzie remains the most mysterious of the four Alcott sisters. Her father spoke of her "hiding her feelings in silence" and her neatly composed journals give us little clue to her inner life. Our fullest portrait of Lizzie is in the pages of Little Women, where she was portrayed as the gentle Beth. In many the book is a tribute to the sister Louisa called "my better self". She writes: Elizabeth - or Beth as everyone called her - was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl, with a shy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression, which was seldom disturbed. Her father called her ‘Little Tranquillity’ and the name suited her perfectly for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted. Lizzie liked nothing better than to be at home with her family. She loved children and animals (especially kittens); she enjoyed music, playing the piano and sewing. Lizzie caught scarlet fever from a poor family after whom her mother was caring. Like her literary counterpart, she recovered, but died two years later of a wasting illness probably contracted in her weakened state. On March 14, 1858, Louisa wrote in her journal: My dear Beth died at three in the morning after two years of patient pain. Last week she put her work away, saying the needle was too heavy ... Saturday she slept, and at midnight became unconscious, quietly breathing her life away till three; then, with one last look of her beautiful eyes, she was gone. Archival photographs of the family and objects in the collection are available for a fee. Please contact the Curator of Collections at 978-369-4118, Monday -Wednesday 8:30 - 3:30. for further information on photo fees and policies. |
