{"id":12538,"date":"2024-03-29T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-29T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=12538"},"modified":"2024-03-29T08:10:42","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T12:10:42","slug":"pen-porn-little-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/pen-porn-little-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Pen Porn: Stanford Pen Studio Little Women"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Short Story Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I had an incredibly difficult time putting this post together. I desperately wanted to do the pen, and the book, justice. If you’ve been following my blog for long enough, you may know how much Little Women<\/em> means to me. But, if you haven’t, suffice to say that it was a favorite of both my mom and I, which has earned it a special place in my heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of why I requested this commission from Stanford Pen Studio<\/a> was as a reminder of all the good times my mom and I had related to Little Women<\/em>. I knew Hanna<\/a> would do it justice since she did such an amazing job with my Pride and Prejudice<\/em> pen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Stanford<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

So, yes, I expected an amazing work of art. What I didn’t expect was that it would give me back Little Women<\/em>. I’ve stayed away from the book and the movies since my mom passed away over 11 years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, when I got to see this pen in person, to hold it and admire the art, I knew I needed to compare some of the scenes to scenes from the movies to emphasize the great job Hanna did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I steeled myself and clicked through the three versions I regularly watched with my mom: 1933, 1949, and 1994. Surprisingly \u2014 to me \u2014 I found myself able to just enjoy them, without the heartbreak I was expecting. I intend to go back and watch them in full. I’ve even started watching the 2018 miniseries \u2014 I’m not sure I’ll finish it, but that’s because I’m not in love with the casting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve also read through pieces of the book while getting quote locations, and even found myself getting lost in the story before recalling myself to the task at hand. I think it’s time to re-read the book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, thank you to Stanford Pen Studio and Hanna for accepting my commission request, thereby giving me such a fabulous, but unexpected gift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, on to the pen porn!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You know I always start with the 360\u00b0 views. I chose to go back to my standard format for these posts, as the longer form Ardently<\/em> video didn’t seem to interest you all.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"360\u00b0<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The March Sisters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All four March sisters have some representation on the pen, both as a family on the cap, and individually on the barrel. Let’s start with the cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m fairly certain the cap scene surrounded by flowers is meant to represent when the girls go next door to the Laurence house for a party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a><\/figure>\n
Screenshots, left-to-right: Little Women<\/em> 1933 and 1949<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The other cap scene \u2014 in front of the March home (which is beautifully rendered, by the way) \u2014 is harder to figure out, but I think<\/em> it’s when the girls take their Christmas breakfast to the Hummel family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"the<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"March<\/a><\/figure>\n
Screenshots of the March sisters: Little Women<\/em> 1949 and 1994. Screenshots of the house: Little Women<\/em> 1933 and 1949<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Sisters Alone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Then, on the barrel, we see most of the sisters pictured individually, industrially working at their greatest interests, and with their beaux for each accepted proposal. I’m assuming that the pen got rather full, and, to balance out Beth not having a proposal scene, only three sisters are depicted alone. As Meg’s great interest is etiquette \u2014 which doesn’t lend itself to a solo silhouette image \u2014 it makes sense that she was the one left out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth is seated at her piano. I’m pretty certain it’s the cabinet piano she was gifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Beth<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Beth<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Beth<\/a><\/figure>\n
Screenshots, left-to-right: Little Women<\/em> 1933 and 1994<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amy is hard at work on her art, either drawing or painting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Amy<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Amy<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Amy<\/a><\/figure>\n
Screenshots, left-to-right: Little Women<\/em> 1933 and 1994<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And Jo, of course, is working on her next story, or perhaps her novel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Jo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jo<\/a><\/figure>\n
Screenshots, left-to-right: Little Women<\/em> 19349 and 1994<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Getting Engaged<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While I’m not 100% certain, I believe all three engagements are represented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m fairly certain that the silhouettes in the window are Meg and John Brooke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Meg's<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Meg's<\/a><\/figure>\n
Screenshots, left-to-right: Little Women<\/em> 1933 and 1949<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“I needn’t go away, but may stay and be happy, may I, dear?” <\/em>…<\/em> “Yes, John.” (John and Meg, ch. 23).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s possible that it’s meant to be Jo and Laurie dancing at the Laurence party, but it doesn’t really look like dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then we have Amy and Laurie in the rowboat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"close<\/a>
Sadly, none of the more famous movies includes this scene.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“How well we pull together, don’t we?” … “So well that I wish we might always pull in the same boat. Will you, Amy?” <\/em>…<\/em> “Yes, Laurie.” (Amy and Laurie, ch. 41).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like with the previous scene it’s possible that it represents a different scene, specifically Meg and John on the lake during the picnic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, finally, we have the iconic umbrella scene with Jo and Friedrich Bhaer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Jo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jo's<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jo's<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jo's<\/a><\/figure>\n
Screenshots, left-to-right: Little Women<\/em> 1933, 1949, and 1994<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

” … I haf nothing to gif back but a full heart and these empty hands,” … “Not empty now.”<\/em> (Friedrich and Jo, ch. 46).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s no mistaking this one for anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quotes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This seems the perfect transition to the quotes, starting with the one at the finial end of the barrel: “I have nothing to give but my heart so full and these empty hands… They’re not empty now.” [which movie adaptation?]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Moving up the barrel, we have “I like good strong words…” (ch. 4). Jo’s response to Meg’s complaint of her use of “dreadful expressions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then at the bottom of the cap, “Don’t try to make me grow up before my time…” (ch. 14). Jo’s entreaty to Meg after she’s been reprimanded for “such romping ways.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mid-cap, we have “I want to be great, or nothing” (ch. 39). Amy declaring that she’s finished her artistic endeavors, “because talent isn’t genius.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And then we have my goof at the top of the cap: “Books are always good company if you have the right sort.” (Jo, Jo’s Boys<\/em>, ch. 6). It’s a fabulous quote, isn’t it? But, it’s not from Little Women<\/em>. I requested that it be included; and, as you can see, Jo says it, but only two books later! Oops!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Decorative Elements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And we get to finish with the beautiful artistic elements Hanna added. As she usually does with her art pens, Hanna carried some thematic elements all throughout the pen to tie the scenes together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gold dots, purple flowers, and green color washes and leaves are sprinkled across the art. And, of course, her characteristic swirls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I had to finish the pen off with a custom-engraved nib from Carolina Pen Co.<\/a> \u2014 thanks, Jonathon! And, what better than a quill pen for Jo’s \u2014 and Louisa May Alcott’s \u2014 writing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Close<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

I love that Hanna managed to capture so much of the story. And, more than that, she captured the March sisterhood \u2014 their connectedness even while growing up with different interests and having separate adult lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Little<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

How long have you been following my blog journey? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed my post. Make sure to subscribe to my blog<\/a> or follow me on Instagram<\/a> so you don\u2019t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I’ve got to share this American literary pen with you all. I hope you enjoy the hand-drawn and painted goodness in this pen porn post.<\/p>\n

Keep ReadingPen Porn: Stanford Pen Studio Little Women<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[42,198,279],"class_list":["post-12538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fountain-pens","tag-classics","tag-pen-porn","tag-stanford-wood-studio","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/littleWomen-featured.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-3ge","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11016,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/pen-porn-sea-urchin\/","url_meta":{"origin":12538,"position":0},"title":"Pen Porn: Dotted Sea Urchin","author":"Rachel","date":"August 29, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I've got to share this hand-painted pen with you all. 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