Constructive Criticism: Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Scarlet Stockings’

Helping a young man see his responsibilities

Louisa May Alcott's "Scarlet Stockings" tells how a young man improves with the gentle prodding of a young woman who wears scarlet stockings.

It is difficult to criticize and challenge others. It is also extremely hard to receive challenges and accept criticisms from others. Yet despite the difficulty, giving and taking criticism is beneficial.

In her short story “Scarlet Stockings,” Louisa May Alcott shows how when we see someone who is lazy and despondent, we can help that person overcome these pitfalls through constructive criticism and healthy challenges. When we challenge each other to be better versions of ourselves, we build a better world, community, and family.

Alcott presents Harry Lennox, a young man living during the time of the Civil War—though not as a participant. He had the luxury of living in Europe for several years. After his parents die, Harry returns to America to visit his sister Kate. He tries to be as kind and positive as he can, but his visit holds nothing interesting for him and boredom soon sets in.

Harry needs someone to challenge him in his prideful, lukewarm, lazy, and despondent ways. He finds just the right person in Belle, an eccentric young girl who wears scarlet stockings. She is “very blunt and honest, [and] has ideas and principles of her own.” Harry is very interested.

Belle calls Harry a proud “peacock” and “Sir Charles Coldstream.” She openly expresses her disgust for his prideful actions. She instantly challenges him to adventures that help him overcome his deep flaws.

Belle takes Harry to a house in the dirty, poor, and miserable part of town. She challenges him to come in and help a poor family that is suffering from scarlet fever.

When Harry begins to question this visit to the sick, Belle responds that she enjoys working where she is needed. When done willingly and heartily, such work can be rewarding and even pleasant. She encourages him to work to earn the blessings and gifts that he truly desires, rather than just sitting by and expecting blessings to come to him.

A Strong Challenge

As young men are being recruited, Belle suggests to Harry that he should join the local regiment. When he asks why, she passionately tells him that he has the gifts, strength, and courage. If he has the ability to fight, he should not sit idle but give his best for a good cause.

Though Belle’s advice does not seem to touch Harry, the next time she sees him, he is marching in a line of soldiers, off to fight. Because she told him the truth about himself and pushed him, he now marches away with “Love and Liberty” written on his heart. He proves that he does have courage and strength and is willing to fight for a good cause.

In “Heretics,” G.K. Chesterton says, “All men can be criminals, if tempted; all men can be heroes, if inspired.” When we challenge others or receive challenges in turn, we are helping one another seek those higher virtues that can free us from any indifference or vice that chain us.

We can take the criticism of others as moments to look inside and become better, truer humans and, then, to make the world a much better place.