Good Templars (Alcott)

"The Good Templars" is a short story by Louisa May Alcott. It is one of the short stories published in Alcott's book, "" which was published in 1880. The story is a simple tale of a small family living in a quaint town, but also operates as an argument in favor of the temperance movement.

Plot Summary

The story revolves around two young brothers, Jack and Frank and follows them through their daily life as they wake up in the morning, finish their chores, eat breakfast, and complete their school lessons. [ [http://underthesun.cc/Alcott/jackandjill/jackandjill18.html Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott: Chapter 19 Good Templars ] ] The two keep each other in line, and the story opens with Frank making sure Jack was awake and ready to start the day. The two boys engage in a conversation with their mother about the perils of drinking, and she urges them to lead by example with their temperance. The boys work on their small newspaper, called The Observer, where they work on editing together temperance pieces they have written. After working on editing their paper, they engage in a football game with some friends, where they are invited to go on a hay-cart ride later that evening. They refuse the offer, because they are required to attend a meeting so they may become part of The Good Templars, and the two boys felt confident in themselves for refusing temptation. Later that evening, they attended the meeting at the Lodge, and left with elation at their good deeds and the encouragement of the other members. Jack suggests to Frank that they gather a small group of young people to serve as a sort of army, and Frank agrees that "something must be done". The story ends with "Boyish talk and enthusiasm, but it was of the right sort; and when time and training had fitted them to bear arms, these young knights would be worthy to put on the red cross and ride away to help right the wrongs and slay the dragons that afflict the world," [Alcott] which suggests the young boy's conviction and dedication to their cause.

Symbols

International Organization of Good Templars

The International Organization of Good Templars [Cite web | url=http://www.iogt.us/iogt.php?p=35 | title=National Council: History | publisher=International Organisation of Good Templars | accessdate=2008-06-17] is an international non-governmental organisation working in the field of temperance. Alcott alludes to this group trhough the title of the short story. By mentioning the "lodge" meetings, Alcott is also referencing the IOGT because their meeting places were referred to as lodges.

Themes

Temperance

"The Good Templars" is a story of temperance. It discusses the value of a sober society, from the view points of these young boys and their mother, who encourages them to remain temperant throughout their lives. It is uncertain whether Alcott intended this piece to serve as a pro-temperance story, or as a satirical story about temperance groups such as Good Templars.

Youthful innocence

It is unique that Alcott chose two young children to represent her model of temperance. Obviously Frank and Jack are too young to drink anyway, but they have dedicated themselves to temperance. Alcott uses their youthful innocence and dedication as a means of illustrating the aspects of society that should be preserved. Children should not be corrupted by alcohol, by their own choice, or by the choices of others. Frank and Jack are in a sense then, the argument for temperance itself,because young people represent what is good in society, and what should be preserved.

Family

The theme of family is important to this short story. Frank and Jack are encouraged and influenced by their mother, who urges them to remain temperant and participate in the lodge meetings. She seems to exist as the moral center, which her children revolve around. The boys also seem to have a close bond with each other, holding each other to high standards to avoid temptation and dedicate themselves to their cause.

Important quotations

* "Every boy and girl who joins is one gained, perhaps, and your example is the best temperance lecture you can give. Hold fast, and don`t mind if it isn`t `jolly`: it is right, and that should be enough for us."
* "Mamma spoke warmly, for she heartily believed in young people`s guarding against this dangerous vice before it became a temptation, and hoped her boys would never break the pledge they had taken; for, young as they were, they were old enough to see its worth, feel its wisdom, and pride themselves on the promise which was fast growing into a principle."
* "Eager to show that they had, at least, begun, the boys told him about their Lodge, and were immensely pleased when their guest took from his pocket-book a worn paper, proving that he too was a Good Templar, and belonged to the same army as they did."

References