A New England Girlhood, Outlined from Memory (Beverly, MA)

“A New England Girlhood, Outlined from Memory” by Lucy Larcom is an autobiographical account reflecting on the author’s upbringing in New England during the mid-19th century. The narrative likely captures the essence of girlhood and the formative experiences that shape a person, particularly emphasizing the social influences, family dynamics, and the nature of work and spirituality in New England. The opening of the book sets the stage with a personal dedication and thoughtful reflections on childhood memories. Larcom delves into her early life in Beverly, Massachusetts, describing the impact of her surroundings, family heritage, and the simplicity of daily life. She reminisces about her family's customs, their religious beliefs, and the profound influence of nature and poetry on her childhood perceptions. Through vivid imagery and nostalgic observations, she depicts the landscape and lifestyle of her youth, establishing a foundation for the themes of memory, identity, and faith that will unfold in her narrative. This opening not only invites readers into her world but also encapsulates the joy and innocence of early girlhood, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced the sweetness of childhood. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Lucy Larcom was an American teacher, poet, and author. She was one of the first teachers at Wheaton Female Seminary in Norton, Massachusetts, teaching there from 1854 to 1862. During that time, she co-founded Rushlight Literary Magazine, a submission-based student literary magazine which is still published. From 1865 to 1873, she was the editor of the Boston-based Our Young Folks, which merged with St. Nicholas Magazine in 1874. In 1889, Larcom published one of the best-known accounts of New England childhood of her time, A New England Girlhood, commonly used as a reference in studying antebellum American childhood; the autobiographical text covers the early years of her life in Beverly Farms and Lowell, Massachusetts.