Misplaced Pages

#370629

88-448: Little Men was written following the death of Alcott's brother-in-law , who inspired the character John Brooke, while Alcott was visiting Rome. In June 1871, the year of its release, the book had sold 130,000 copies. Reviews at the time said Little Men had the same charm as Alcott's other books, although it was overly idealistic at times, and that Alcott had depicted children well in her writing. Alcott's classic novel has been adapted to

176-627: A 1934 film , a 1940 film , a 1998 film , a television series , and a Japanese animated television series . The story begins with the arrival of Nat Blake, a shy young orphan with a fibbing habit, at Plumfield, the school run by Professor Bhaer and Mrs. Josephine Bhaer (née March). Nat charms the ten other boys attending the school, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer, with fiddle skills learned from his father. Mrs. Bhaer shares with him that every Sunday, she reviews each student's behavior and whether they were good or they disappointed her that week. Nat resolves to make her proud. He quickly realizes Plumfield

264-458: A Canadian feature adaptation starring Mariel Hemingway and Chris Sarandon was released. A Variety review complimented the talent of the young actors, although it also called the 1998 film overly sentimental, saying it was "long on morality but weak on dramatic tension". In 1993, an animated television series produced by Nippon Animation , Little Women II: Jo's Boys , ran in Japan. Additionally,

352-406: A Canadian television series, Little Men , aired in 1998 to 1999 for two seasons. In the show, Professor Bhaer has died and Jo runs Plumfield. Regarding the first three episodes, Variety reviewed that the children spoke too much like adults and the show was unoriginal. John Bridge Pratt John Bridge Pratt (June 16, 1833 — November 27, 1870) was the husband of Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt ,

440-524: A brief illness, John Pratt died on November 27, 1870, in Maplewood (part of Malden, Massachusetts ), where he and Anna were living. John Bridge Pratt's life became the basis for the character of John Brooke in Alcott's Little Women and Little Men , with both his wedding and early death becoming important events in the story lines. In fact, Pratt's unexpected death in 1870 had prompted Louisa May Alcott, who

528-588: A clergyman in Höngg . Together they would travel to schools and the houses of parishioners. It was through these visits that Pestalozzi learned the poverty of country peasants. He saw the consequences of putting children to work in factories at an early age and he saw how little the Catechism schools did for them. Their ignorance, suffering and inability to help themselves left an impression on Pestalozzi, an impression that would guide his future educational ideas. Pestalozzi

616-493: A complete understanding of it. Based on what he had learnt by operating schools at Neuhof, Stans, Burgdorf and Yverdon, Pestalozzi emphasized that every aspect of the child's life contributed to the formation of the child's personality, character, and capacity to reason. His educational methods were child-centered and based on individual differences, sense perception, and the student's self-activity. He worked in Yverdon to "elementarize"

704-635: A crop because of her interest in medicine; Dolly memorizes a report to make up for his stutter. Mrs. Bhaer shares with Laurie that unlike her previous aspirations, she simply wants the boys to grow into "honest men". The educational methods employed reflect the Pestalozzian idea Bronson Alcott ascribed to that "the best education starts at home and is continued in a homelike school." Little Men combines school and home for its students, particularly to teach both discipline and knowledge. Ralph Waldo Emerson theorized that learning about nature led humans to learn about

792-445: A financial failure, and only through the help of friends was the institute able to stay on its feet until 1815, when Schmid returned. During the period of Schmid's absence, Pestalozzi wrote Swansong , a restatement of his educational doctrines, and Life's Destiny , a review of his life's work. These were not published until 1826 when they were joined into one book called Pestalozzi's Swansong . In 1814 he also wrote an article titled "To

880-409: A house on the heavily mortgaged property, calling it "Neuhof". The land he had bought, however, was unsuitable to farm. Unfavorable reports led the banker to withdraw his support. Pestalozzi added a wool-spinning business to the farm, hoping to improve his financial situation. The challenges increased as much as his debt. Three months after their financial support was withdrawn, Schulthess gave birth to

968-491: A level of confusion throughout Alcott's writing, particularly in Little Women , and affect her message along with the reception of the novel. Playing among the children often mirrors adult activities and responsibilities. The children grow crops, run a museum, have social clubs, raise children (dolls), and cook meals. The play violence comes in imitating "bullfighters, gladiators, or the imaginary ladies who torture Teddy". While

SECTION 10

#1732855535371

1056-495: A member of the Concord Dramatic Union, John Pratt fell in love with Louisa's elder sister Anna Alcott Pratt , reportedly during a production of "The Loan of a Lover". The two were married in the Alcott family home, Orchard House , on May 23, 1860. They had two sons, Frederick Alcott Pratt (1863-1925) and John Sewall Pratt (1865-1923), who were the models for Demi and Daisy Brooke in the Little Women trilogy. After

1144-402: A more extended sphere of activity, in which I might promote the welfare and happiness of the people. Juvenile ideas as to what it was necessary and possible to do in this respect in my native town, induced me to abandon the clerical profession, to which I had formerly leaned, and for which I had been destined, and caused the thought to spring up within me, that it might be possible, by the study of

1232-529: A national institution. Staff would receive fixed salaries and money would be spent to publish textbooks written by Pestalozzi and his staff. Using this money, in 1803 Pestalozzi published three elementary books: The ABC of Sense Perception , Lessons on the Observation of Number Relations and The Mother's Book . Two additions were made to Pestalozzi's staff during this time: Johann Joseph Schmid (1785–1851) and Johannes Niederer (1779–1843). Schmid had been at

1320-452: A novel instead of a more formal setting allows her to explore results for individual students instead of using abstract generalization. Mrs. Bhaer professes the belief that children become miserable with too many rules and too much study, and the students learn in different ways to help others, control their temper, and exercise. Their different accomplishments are valued. Dan has no crop, but collects wild nuts instead; Nan grows herbs instead of

1408-471: A number of orphans came to the newly established institution. Pestalozzi wrote, "They were in a dreadful condition, both of body and of mind". He took many roles at Stans, including a master, servant, father, guardian, sick-nurse and teacher. He had no school materials and his only assistant was a housekeeper. Drawing from previous experience, his aim at Stans was similar to that of Neuhof: the combination of education and industry. However, he no longer looked at

1496-465: A plan for a school and submitted it to Philipp Albert Stapfer , the new Minister of Arts and Sciences, who approved of Pestalozzi's plan. Pestalozzi was not able to implement his new school right away, because a suitable site could not be found quickly enough. In the meantime, Pestalozzi was asked to take charge of a government newspaper, the Helvetisches Volksblatt , in hopes that he could win

1584-466: A profound impact on the opinion and practice of education. It is written in the form of fourteen letters from Pestalozzi to his friend Heinrich Gessner , a bookbinder in Berne . The first three letters describe how he, Krüsi, Tobler, and Büss came to their present situation at Burgdorf. Letters four to eleven are his reflections and experience in pedagogical instruction and educational theory. The twelfth letter

1672-441: A regimen of physical exercise and outdoor activity linked to general, moral and intellectual education that reflected Pestalozzi's ideal of harmony and human autonomy. Pestalozzi's philosophy of education was based on a four-sphere concept of life and the premise that human nature was essentially good. The first three "exterior" spheres—home and family, vocational and individual self-determination , and state and nation—recognized

1760-415: A ruler when he is caught lying. Nat is only consoled by playing his violin and walking with Daisy, who is normally excluded from playing with the boys. Mrs. Bhaer and Laurie surprise her with a tiny, functional kitchen which the boys are not allowed to play with, and she puts on little parties for the boys with her meager cooking skills. Nat's wild friend Dan comes to live at Plumfield. Dan originally decides

1848-701: A series of evening conversations to address social and political corruption. A weekly newspaper called the Schweizerblatt was also founded and disbanded during the same year with Pestalozzi briefly acting as the chief editor. In 1794 Pestalozzi visited his sister in Leipzig . During the visit, he met Johann Wolfgang von Goethe , Christoph Martin Wieland and Johann Gottfried Herder . On his return trip to Neuhof, he met Johann Gottlieb Fichte . Fichte saw in Pestalozzi's ideas

SECTION 20

#1732855535371

1936-449: A sudden illness, she resolved to give the profits of the Little Women sequel to her sister to help support the family. With this motivation, she quickly finished the manuscript of Little Men while visiting Rome around Christmas, and the first edition, containing 376 pages, was published by Roberts Brothers in 1871. The book was released the day Alcott returned from her travels abroad. The Taunton Daily Gazette reported 130,000 copies of

2024-460: A year Pestalozzi's old faults again led the institution to near ruin. An appeal for public support in 1777 brought much-needed help, and Pestalozzi contributed to the periodical a series of letters on the education of the poor. The appeal, however, only postponed the failure of the institution. In 1779, Pestalozzi had to close Neuhof. With help from his friends, Pestalozzi was able to save the house at Neuhof for himself and his family to live in. Despite

2112-430: Is a wife and mother from the village of Bonnal, who teaches her children how to live moral upstanding lives through the belief and love of God. Glüphi, a school teacher, sees the success Gertrude has with her children and tries to model his school around her teachings. A parish clergyman also adopts Gertrude's teachings and the work of Gertrude, Glüphi and the clergyman are helped by Arner, a politician, who solicits aid from

2200-403: Is about physical education while the last two letters talk about moral and religious education. Pestalozzi's purpose in these letters was to show that, by reducing knowledge to its elements and by constructing a series of psychologically ordered exercises, anybody could teach their children effectively. Because of this literary success, people from all parts of Switzerland and Germany came to see

2288-537: Is evident that Miss Alcott [...] has drawn many of her incidents from real experiences in her own family." Jo was praised as a leader of reform and seen as "in her element with a baker's dozen of boys around her." Generally, the book was found slightly lacking compared to Little Women ; one newspaper said it was inferior but still "full of fun and spirit." Another called it "full of the charming naturalness, sweet simplicity and tender sentiment so peculiarly portrayed by this author in her previous works." Newspapers commented

2376-646: Is not run by conventional means. Fifteen-minute pillow fights are permitted on Saturdays to keep mischief during the week to a minimum. All the children have their own gardens and their own pets and are encouraged to experiment with independence. Nat soon forms a friendship with Tommy Bangs, the troublemaker of the school, who keeps chickens and allows Nat to keep one egg from every dozen found. Nat dreams of buying his own violin with his egg profits. Demi and Daisy, Meg 's twin children, also live at Plumfield and Nat becomes close friends with them. Mr. Bhaer cures Nat of his fibbing habit by making him strike Mr. Bhaer's hand with

2464-606: The "Educational Institute for the Children of the Middle Classes", in the Burgdorf Castle . Here, two educators joined Pestalozzi, Johann Georg Tobler and Johann Christoff Büss . During this time Pestalozzi systemized and codified many of his methods and ideas about education. Pestalozzi for the second time in his literary career attracted a wide circle of readers after publishing How Gertrude Teaches her Children . The book had

2552-622: The Government's offer and, in June 1804, Pestalozzi's work in Burgdorf ended. Pestalozzi's stay at Münchenbuchsee was short. Nearby in Hofwil , there was another educational establishment run by Philipp Emanuel von Fellenberg . Pestalozzi's colleagues convinced him to collaborate with Fellenberg to plan the new institute at Münchenbuchsee. Pestalozzi and Fellenberg did not get along and after months of planning it

2640-580: The Innocent, Serious, and Magnanimous of my Fatherland", a testimony to the many people living in poverty which his institutions could not reach. After the death of Pestalozzi's wife in 1815, Krüsi resigned from the institute. Niederer followed in 1817. Overcome by troubles, Pestalozzi sought Schmid's help. Schmid managed to raise £2,500 by publishing a compilation of Pestalozzi's works. The institute remained open for another 10 years, during which time Pestalozzi tried to convince Krüsi and Niederer to return. In 1825

2728-678: The Johann Pestalozzi Bilingual Academy in Aibonito , Puerto Rico , US. In fact, when the Swiss government joined the international rebuilding effort after the devastating 1963 Skopje earthquake by donating funds for the construction of a school in Skopje , it enrolled the famous Swiss architect Alfred Roth  [ de ] to design the new school, equipped it with the first modern application of seismic isolation , and named it after

Little Men - Misplaced Pages Continue

2816-702: The Poor on the Neuhof. Preacher to the People in Leonard and Gertrude In Stans, Father of the orphan, In Burgdorf and Münchenbuchsee, Founder of the New Primary Education. In Yverdon, Educator of Humanity. He was an individual, a Christian and a citizen. He did everything for others, nothing for himself! Bless his name! Pestalozzi was a Romantic who felt that education must be broken down to its elements in order to have

2904-618: The Science of Education ] (in French) . Although Pestalozzi said he did not know much French, what he was able to understand "threw a flood of light upon my whole endeavor". It confirmed his ideas of education that he had developed at Neuhof, Stans, and now Burgdorf, in which all understanding can be achieved through a psychologically ordered sequence. In January 1800, a young teaching assistant, Hermann Krüsi , offered to help Pestalozzi. Krüsi already had some practical teaching experience and followed

2992-514: The Swiss government. A national deputation was sent to Paris to interview Napoleon on behalf of Switzerland. Pestalozzi was elected as a member of this deputation. Before going, he published his ideas about political effort. It is a unique document in Pestalozzi's work that shows the connection of his political, social and educational influence. Pestalozzi did not enjoy his time in Paris; Napoleon had no interest in his work. On his return, Pestalozzi found

3080-554: The acceptance of the people of Switzerland. Political change of any kind during this period was viewed as tyrannical. When the French army invaded the town of Stans in 1798, many children were left without a home or family. The Swiss government established an orphanage and recruited Pestalozzi on 5 December 1798, to take charge of the newly formed institution. On 7 December, Pestalozzi went to Stans, writing: I went gladly, for I hoped to offer these innocent little ones some compensation for

3168-403: The book had been sold by June 3, 1871. Alcott wrote Little Men with no plan beyond describing life at Plumfield. The novel depicts the school as a utopia of coeducation and takes ideas from Alcott's father, Bronson Alcott , “an educational reformer and prominent Transcendentalist.” Alcott said her father's Temple School inspired some of the scenes at Plumfield. Jo's procedure of taking notes on

3256-451: The book was aimed towards young readers alone, calling it "a bright little juvenile work which will make the young people half crazy with delight," while Hartford Daily Courant and The New-York Times said it would teach and entertain both young and old, particularly boys. Little Men was first adapted into a film in 1934 starring Erin O'Brien-Moore and Ralph Morgan . Another film followed in 1940 with Kay Francis as Jo. In 1998 ,

3344-500: The book was written with "characteristic" style compared to Alcott's other works. Critics said of "Little Men" that Alcott was particularly good at capturing children's humor and uniqueness and that her approach to education for children allowed her to demonstrate individual results rather than abstract ideas. Other reviews commented the idealistic approach to children was well intentioned with the potential to teach parents and leaders, although unrealistic. Springfield Daily Union suggested

3432-407: The boys have a story night in which they trick members of the household into the schoolroom and only let them out when they tell a story. Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer tell moral-based stories of hard work and kindness. At Thanksgiving, they feast on the harvest of each boy's garden, giving thanks for all they have learned and been given, and then they end the night with a play. Little Men combines the genres of

3520-509: The center of the school, with Professor Bhaer rarely appearing outside the classroom and more scenes set outside the classroom than in. One recurring theme comes from Professor Bhaer's allegory about a gardener and how some of the undergardeners reaped rewards while others did not. The children talk about the morals they will each work to grow and come to "view themselves as little garden plots growing large crops of patience, perseverance, and good temper." Alcott's exploration of education through

3608-464: The children learn the value of hard work and duty, play is relatively unregulated as it helps the children to develop their talents. Alcott was first encouraged by her publisher to write a book for girls while employed as an editor for a Boston children’s magazine and began writing the March trilogy a year later in 1868. After her brother-in-law John Pratt , whom the character John Brooke is based on, died of

Little Men - Misplaced Pages Continue

3696-565: The children's behavior was employed at Bronson's school, Fruitlands, however, Jo's notes were shared in private while Bronson's were shared in public. Alcott commented she felt trapped into propriety having grown up around her father and others like Ralph Waldo Emerson. Additionally, while many say Plumfield is inspired by Temple School or Fruitlands, Alcott herself was a teacher and would have had plenty of her own knowledge and understanding of educational reform during her time. Little Men received many positive reviews although some cautioned that it

3784-541: The children's play rather than the curriculum at Plumfield. This knowledge proves useful for Dan and Nan, the more wild students of Plumfield; Nan is able to gain experience for her future career as a doctor by using her own herbs, which she dries and practices healing with. Alcott's own scientific education mainly came from nature walks with Thoreau and Sophie Foord. Many paradoxes appear in Little Men and can be viewed either as inconsistencies or as messages. Contradictions in

3872-463: The conception of converting Neuhof into an industrial school. Against the wishes of his wife's family, Pestalozzi gained the support of philosopher Isaak Iselin of Basel , who published it in Die Ephemerides , a periodical devoted to social and economic questions. The publication led to subscriptions and loans free of interest. The new foundation had a short period of apparent prosperity, but after

3960-478: The couple's only son, Jean-Jacques Pestalozzi. He was nicknamed Schaggeli and often had epileptic fits that led Pestalozzi and Schulthess to worry constantly about his health. After the failure of his farming venture, Pestalozzi wanted to help the poor. He had been poor himself most of his life and had observed orphans who gained apprenticeships as farmers only to be overworked and underfed. He desired to teach them how to live self-respecting lives. This led him to

4048-880: The creator of the concept of the kindergarten , was a student of Pestalozzi. Pestalozzi's ideas inspired Charles Mayo who returned from Switzerland to work with his sister Elizabeth Mayo . Charles had lived with Pestalozzi from 1819 to 1822 at Yverdon. The two siblings were credited with founding the formal education of infant teachers in Britain. Schools that are named after Pestalozzi include Pestalozzi-Gymnasium Biberach and Pestalozzischule Raunheim in Germany, Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi ( Macedonian : Јохан Хајнрих Песталоци ) Elementary School in Skopje , North Macedonia , Colegio Pestalozzi in Argentina, Asociación Colegio Pestalozzi in Peru, and

4136-476: The death of Pestalozzi's father it was only through the help of Babeli that Pestalozzi's mother could financially support the family. In 1761, Pestalozzi attended the Gymnasium (Collegium Humanitatis) and received instruction from educators Johann Jakob Bodmer , who taught history and politics, and Johann Jakob Breitinger , who taught Greek and Hebrew. On holidays Pestalozzi would visit his maternal grandfather,

4224-602: The desire to implement a similar system in their own nations. In May 1807, Die Wochenschrift fur Menschenbildung , a newspaper published by the institute, was started by Niederer and regularly included philosophical discussions about education and reports to parents and the public about the institute's progress. Some notable changes to the institute at Yverdon were that pupils of any age were educated, not just young children; German, French, Latin and Greek were taught along with geography, natural history, history, literature, arithmetic, geometry, surveying, drawing, writing and singing. At

4312-401: The domestic novel and the school story. Popular school stories of Alcott's time generally involved a newcomer in a group of British boys growing in skill, often fighting a bully or competing in sports. Alcott transforms the traditional, however; females take part where they rarely appear in other school stories, and Plumfield is both school and home, the residents both peers and family. Mrs. Jo is

4400-454: The elder sister of novelist Louisa May Alcott . He inspired the fictional character John Brooke in his sister-in-law Louisa May Alcott's best known novels. John Bridge Pratt was born in Boston on June 16, 1833, the third child of Minot Pratt and his wife Maria Jones Bridge Pratt. The Pratt family lived at Brook Farm from 1841 to 1845, after which they moved to Concord, Massachusetts . As

4488-566: The example set by Pestalozzi. After eight months of teaching, Pestalozzi was evaluated by school authorities who praised him for his progress. In eight months, he had not only taught children of five and six years of age to read perfectly, but also to write, draw and understand arithmetic. The school board promoted Pestalozzi to a mastership in the second boys' school where he continued his educational experiments. Fueled by his success, in October 1800 Pestalozzi decided to open another school in Burgdorf,

SECTION 50

#1732855535371

4576-452: The family, the utility of individuality, and the applicability of the parent-child relationship to society as a whole in the development of a child's character, attitude toward learning, and sense of duty. The last "exterior" sphere—inner sense—posited that education, having provided a means of satisfying one's basic needs, results in inner peace and a keen belief in God. As Pestalozzi said himself,

4664-416: The height of the institution's fame Pestalozzi was highly regarded for his work as an educator and in educational reform. As time went on, Pestalozzi felt that his colleagues were growing farther apart, something he called the " canker of disunion". Disagreement had not yet developed into open conflict, but different views about policy were represented by Niederer and Schmid. Niederer had gained influence in

4752-451: The idea of seeing the Bhaers again, returns to Plumfield with a broken foot and is nursed back to health by Mrs. Bhaer. When Laurie sponsors a new natural history museum for the school, Dan becomes curator because of his interest in the outdoors. One day, everyone goes to pick berries and Nan promises to take care of little Rob, but they end up missing the wagon back home. After a joyful reunion,

4840-436: The inner workings of their minds as well. He believed this understanding must be balanced by book knowledge to prepare a student for society and that colleges should prepare students to create reform for "new national needs". Alcott translates these transcendentalist ideals for younger students, particularly drawing on her father's approaches from Fruitlands and Temple School . Scientific knowledge in Little Men comes from

4928-475: The institute as a poor pupil but was added to the staff for his teaching ability. Niederer had formerly been a minister. Pestalozzi's family finally joined him in the institute to live and work. In 1801 Pestalozzi's son, Jean-Jacques, died at the age of 31, but his daughter-in-law and grandchild, Gottlieb, moved from Neuhof to Burgdorf to live at the institute. Political changes by Napoleon during this time put Pestalozzi's institute in jeopardy through reform in

5016-776: The institute had to be closed due to a lack of funds. Pestalozzi returned to his old home at Neuhof and published Pestalozzi's Swansong . This provoked many bitter responses, by Fellenberg and Niederer in particular. Pestalozzi did not take lightly to these criticisms. He became sick on 15 February 1827, and died two days later in Brugg on 17 February 1827. His last words were, "I forgive my enemies. May they now find peace to which I am going forever." The inscription on Pestalozzi's grave reads: Heinrich Pestalozzi: born in Zurich January 12, 1746 died in Brugg February 17, 1827 Saviour of

5104-430: The institution and started to add subjects that teachers were not competent to teach. Schmid was open about his criticisms and the division grew among the institute's staff. In 1809 and 1810 the criticism was so great that Niederer suggested to Pestalozzi that an impartial commission be brought in from the Government to assess the conduct and efficiency of the institute. Against Schmid's wishes, Pestalozzi agreed, and in 1810

5192-525: The key to the solution of the educational problem, and suggested to Pestalozzi that he write about his views on human nature and the problem of its development. After three years, Pestalozzi wrote and published Enquiries into the Course of Nature in the development of the Human Race . Few people read his work, and in an 1821 edition, Pestalozzi wrote: "Scarcely any one has noticed the book, although it has been before

5280-569: The law, to find a career that would be likely to procure for me, sooner or later, the opportunity and means of exercising an active influence on the civil condition of my native town, and even of my native land. During the mid-18th century the government in Switzerland condemned Rousseau's Emile and Social Contract , saying they were dangerous to the State and the Christian religion . A prison sentence

5368-533: The loss they had sustained, and to find in their wretchedness a basis for their gratitude. In my zeal to put my hands to the task which had been the great dream of my life, I should have been ready to begin even in the highest Alps and without fire and water, so to speak, had I only been allowed. The buildings of the Ursuline Convent at Stans were supposed to have been converted into an orphanage, but little had been done when Pestalozzi arrived. On 14 January 1799,

SECTION 60

#1732855535371

5456-440: The money and leave the school. The boys plan to buy Dan a microscope for his kindness. Although Dan cares more for the Bhaers than before, he begins to long for freedom again and Mrs. Bhaer attempts to keep him home with various tasks. Near the end of the novel, Demi and Daisy's father, John, becomes ill. They are taken to visit him and he dies that night, leaving Demi with an increased feeling of responsibility. A short while later,

5544-506: The new Swiss government questioning his right to use the facilities at Burgdorf. They notified him that his services were no longer needed on the grounds that the buildings were needed for their own officials. To avoid being criticized by the public, however, the authorities offered Pestalozzi the use of an old monastery in Münchenbuchsee . Pestalozzi received offers to establish his institute in other towns, but ultimately he decided to accept

5632-429: The next day Mrs. Bhaer teaches them a lesson by tying Nat up to a string in one room for the day. Later, Laurie and Amy's daughter, Bess, comes for a visit and all the boys respect her so greatly that their behavior improves from her presence. When Nat is falsely accused of theft by the other boys, Dan takes the fall so Nat is no longer shunned. Dan saves another student named Jack from a fall, leading Jack to admit he stole

5720-412: The novel frequently comment on social norms; the boys school enrolls girls, the instructors often learn lessons from the children, and the characters themselves carry inner contradictions. Bess, for example, is the youngest girl, yet she symbolizes feminine influence. Violence is not allowed at Plumfield, yet multiple fights occur and Professor Bhaer shares his grandmother once taught him a lesson by cutting

5808-450: The other boys are "molly-coddles" and leads them in experiments with boxing, drinking, smoking, profanity, and card games. When one of his games starts the house on fire, Dan, along with Mr. Bhaer's nephews Franz and Emil, put out the fire, and he is sent away to a farm in the country. Nat arrives as a companion for Daisy, but she is even more of a tomboy than Jo was as a teenager and gets into all sorts of trouble. Dan runs away, and drawn by

5896-417: The products of the children's labors as a possible source of income. Any work was considered by Pestalozzi as a way to train physical dexterity, promote efficiency and encourage mutual helpfulness. He wanted to cultivate the fundamental activities of the mind—"the powers of attention, observation, and memory, which must precede the art of judgment and must be well established before the latter is exercised." It

5984-525: The property being saved, they were in financial ruin and were reduced to poverty. His family connections abandoned him, along with most people who had shown interest in his ideas. Iselin remained a friend of Pestalozzi and encouraged him to continue writing. In 1780 Pestalozzi published anonymously in Die Ephemerides a series of aphorisms entitled The Evening Hours of a Hermit . They are his earliest works which outline ideas that would later be known as Pestalozzian. The aphorisms attracted little attention at

6072-493: The public for more than twenty years." This work marked the end of his eighteen-year literary period, during which time Pestalozzi and his family lived a life of poverty. His wife was often ill, and in 1797 his son returned home from his apprenticeship in Basel in a similar state of health. Political changes were taking place, and when serfdom was abolished in Switzerland in 1798, Pestalozzi decided to become an educator. He wrote

6160-441: The real work of his life did not lie in Burgdorf or in Yverdon. It lay in the principles of education which he practised, in the development of his observation, in the training of the whole person, and in the sympathetic way of dealing with students, principles and practices which he illustrated in his six months' labors at Stans. He had the deepest effect on all branches of education, and his influence continues. Friedrich Fröbel ,

6248-450: The school in Burgdorf. The school grew, but Pestalozzi still felt that he was not doing enough. Though a financial success, the school could not do what Pestalozzi desired: educate the poor. He communicated to the Swiss government that he would like more opportunity to educate the poor. In response it sent two commissioners to investigate his work and, following their favorable review, the government decided to transform Pestalozzi's school into

6336-452: The state commissioners visited Yverdon. The commissioners' report looked favorably upon Pestalozzi's ideas but not on the practices of the institute. Any hope of Yverdon becoming a state institution was cut off. Pestalozzi felt that justice had not been done. Schmid resigned his post and neither Pestalozzi nor Niederer could fill his position as teacher of mathematics, so instead they opened a printing and bookselling business. This proved to be

6424-466: The state. Through these four institutions, harmony is achieved and a comprehensive education is offered to all people. The first volume was very successful; however, the second through fourth volumes were not widely published or read. Pestalozzi had planned a fifth and sixth volume, but the manuscript of the fifth was lost in his 1804 trip to Paris and it is not known if a sixth was ever written. Pestalozzi wrote Christopher and Elizabeth in 1782 as

6512-437: The teaching of ancient languages, principally Latin, but also Hebrew and Greek. In 1819, Stephan Ludwig Roth came to study with Pestalozzi, and his new humanism contributed to the development of the method of language teaching, including considerations such as the function of the mother tongue in the teaching of ancient languages. Pestalozzi and Niederer were important influences on the theory of physical education; they developed

6600-434: The time of publication. Pestalozzi knew the country peasant life much more intimately than his contemporaries did, from the visits of his childhood with his grandfather to his current state of poverty. He drew from these experiences and published four volumes of a story titled Leonard and Gertrude . These four volumes revolve around the lives of four characters: Gertrude, Glüphi, an unnamed parish clergyman and Arner. Gertrude

6688-412: The tip of his tongue. Instead of hitting Nat to punish him for lying, the professor has Nat hit him. Critics suggest these contradictions reflect Alcott's feminism restrained by certain social norms and help reveal her views on socialization , education, and morality . Children's literature researcher Hisham Muhamad Ismail concludes the differences between "intentional lessons and unconscious messages" add

6776-499: Was a Swiss pedagogue and educational reformer who exemplified Romanticism in his approach. He founded several educational institutions both in German- and French-speaking regions of Switzerland and wrote many works explaining his revolutionary modern principles of education. His motto was "Learning by head, hand and heart". Thanks to Pestalozzi, illiteracy in 18th-century Switzerland was overcome almost completely by 1830. Pestalozzi

6864-561: Was also a member of the Helvetic Society, attracted widespread attention regarding his successful business model. He had converted a large plot of worthless land into several valuable farms. In 1767 Pestalozzi visited Tschiffeli to learn about his method. After a year with Tschiffeli, Pestalozzi purchased 15 acres of waste land in the neighborhood of Zürich. He obtained financial support from a Zürich banker, bought more land and, in 1769, he married Anna Schulthess . Pestalozzi began to build

6952-545: Was apparent in the well-being of the children. He left Stans in order to recover in Gurnigel , an Alpine health resort, hoping to return to the orphanage when the buildings were free, but he was not permitted to return. During his recovery in Gurnigel, Stapfer assigned Pestalozzi to the town of Burgdorf . He was to receive a small quarterly salary, an apartment and a position teaching at the lowest school in town. Pestalozzi's position

7040-442: Was believed to be an accessory to the escape of a fellow newspaper contributor. Although he was later proven innocent, he was under arrest for three days. These events caused Pestalozzi to have many political enemies and destroyed any hope of a legal career. After the failure of his political aspirations and at the suggestion of several friends, Pestalozzi decided to become a farmer . During this time, Johann Rudolf Tschiffeli , who

7128-482: Was born on 12 January 1746, in Zürich , Switzerland. His father was a surgeon and oculist who died at age 33 when Pestalozzi, the second of three children, was five years old; he belonged to a family who had fled the area around Locarno due to its Protestant faith. His mother, whose maiden name was Hotze, was a native of Wädenswil on the lake of Zürich. The family also had a maid, Barbara Schmid, nicknamed Babeli. After

7216-605: Was decided to move the institute to Yverdon . By far, the institute at Yverdon was the longest lasting of Pestalozzi's endeavors. Pestalozzi spent the first few months of his stay at Yverdon in quiet literary work, thanks to a monetary gift from the King of Denmark, Christian VII . During this time he wrote Views and Experiences relating to the idea of Elementary Education . In July 1805 the institute at Yverdon opened and attracted visitors and pupils from all over Europe. Many governments sent their own educators to study with Pestalozzi with

7304-459: Was during his time at Stans that Pestalozzi realized the significance of a universal method of education, which he would attempt to apply at future institutions. In June 1799, the French army, after being defeated by the Austrians, took back Stans. They needed every available building to house their troops, and the school was broken up. Even during the short time of the orphanage, Pestalozzi's success

7392-402: Was educated to become a clergyman. As a clergyman, he expected to have ample opportunity to carry out his educational ideas; however, the failure of his first sermon and influence from philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau led him to pursue a career in law and political justice. The ideal system of liberty, also, to which Rousseau imparted fresh animation, increased in me the visionary desire for

7480-519: Was issued upon Rousseau. Bodmer, Pestalozzi's former professor, embraced the teachings of Rousseau and founded the Helvetic Society with about 20 other philosophers in 1765. Their goal was the advancement of freedom. The 19-year-old Pestalozzi was an active member, contributing many articles to the Society's newspaper, Der Erinnerer . Pestalozzi brought to light several cases of official corruption and

7568-501: Was not held long; the shoemaker who ran the school before Pestalozzi had arrived did not agree with his ideas. Shortly after, Pestalozzi was able to transfer to a different school. The children were five to eight years old. Pestalozzi was nervous at first, but he continued his investigations and experiments in education carried out at Stans. A book was suggested to Pestalozzi by a friend, Herbart, Johann Friedrich, Vous voulez mécaniser l'education [ The Application of Psychology to

7656-431: Was overly sentimental or idealistic. While Plumfield is meant to be a progressive school, literary scholar William Blackburn mentioned its impracticality and said that while Dan gets the closest, none of the students truly challenge the educational theories because every one of them accepts Plumfield ideals. Blackburn called the end result "charmingly impossible." The Springfield Daily Republican reviewed book and said "it

7744-742: Was staying in Rome at the time, to write Little Men (published 1871) in order to provide financial security for the widowed Anna and her sons. His younger son, John Sewall Pratt, took Alcott as his surname when he was adopted by his Aunt Louisa near the end of her life. John and Anna's elder son, Frederick Alcott Pratt, married Jessica Cate, with whom he had five children before his death in 1910 in Chelsea, Massachusetts . Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi ( German: [ˈjoːhan ˈhaɪnrɪç pɛstaˈlɔtsiː] , Italian: [pestaˈlɔttsi] ; 12 January 1746 – 17 February 1827)

#370629