Elizabeth and Her German Garden · Chapter
December 7th explained
The narrator returns from a brief, foggy trip to England, finding joy in her snowy home and garden.
What happens
The narrator returns from a brief, foggy trip to England, finding joy in her snowy home and garden. She reflects on the local parson and his wife's pious struggles, the beauty of her library and garden, and reads a Life of Luther outdoors, contemplating happiness and domestic duties.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and Gardening as a Source of Joy
The narrator finds profound happiness in her snowy garden, sitting by the sundial, enjoying the frosty air, and reading outdoors.
Solitude vs. Society
The narrator relishes the peace of her home and garden after the discomforts of travel and foggy England, valuing solitude and domestic tranquility.
Marriage and Domestic Life
Reflections on the parson and his wife's pious household, the division of domestic labor, and the narrator's own views on dusting and cooking versus intellectual pursuits.
Characters to notice
- Elizabeth
Returns from England, enjoys the snowy home and garden, reads Luther outdoors, and reflects on domestic life.
- The Man of Wrath
Mentioned as enjoying a vituperative farewell sermon; uses the library as neutral ground in the evenings.
- April
Exclaims 'How the snow purrs!' during the sleigh ride home.
- May baby
Says 'Directly you comes home the fun begins' upon the narrator's return.
- June baby
Sings 'The King of Love my Shepherd is' and swings her kitten by the tail.
Key passages
“Directly you comes home the fun begins”
The May baby expresses that the narrator's return brings joy and excitement.
Shows the children's affection and the warmth of homecoming.
“How the snow purrs!”
The April baby poetically describes the sound of snow under the horses' hooves.
Highlights the child's imaginative perception of nature.
“I would cast it all into the nearest bonfire and sit and warm my toes at the flames with great contentment”
The narrator declares she would rather burn her furniture than be a slave to dusting when she wants to do other things.
Reflects her rejection of excessive domesticity in favor of intellectual freedom.