On Picket Duty, and Other Tales

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Alcott, Louisa May, 1832-1888

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"On Picket Duty, and Other Tales" by Louisa May Alcott is a collection of war stories written during the mid-19th century. The opening tale, "On Picket Duty," explores the lives and emotions of soldiers stationed on the frontlines during the American Civil War, focusing on themes of love, camaraderie, and sacrifice. Key characters include Thorn, Phil, Dick, and Flint, each representing different facets of the military experience and personal struggles amidst the horrors of war. At the start of the story, the soldiers are gathered under the moonlight, sharing thoughts and reminiscing about their loved ones back home as they complete their night watch. The conversation reveals their personalities and backgrounds, from Thorn's gruff exterior hiding deeper feelings, to Dick's romantic nature, and Flint's pragmatic humor. As they share tales of their romances and experiences, the emotional weight of their surroundings contrasts with their playful banter, hinting at the underlying tensions of war. This initial interaction sets the stage for a deeper exploration of their lives and relationships throughout the collection, emphasizing the bond formed among comrades during intense times. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

On picket duty

The king of clubs and the queen of hearts

The cross on the old church tower

The death of John.

Credits:

Text file produced by Charles Aldarondo HTML file produced by David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 78.8 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2004-01-01