Louisa May Alcott’s Short Story, ‘Fancy’s Friend’

A young girl learns how to balance beautiful wishes with reality.
Louisa May Alcott’s Short Story, ‘Fancy’s Friend’
“On the Beach, Shinnecock,” 1895, by William Merritt Chase. Public Domain
Kate Vidimos
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In her short story “Fancy’s Friend,” Louisa May Alcott shows the beautiful nature of fancy, especially a child’s fancy. Yet, she also demonstrates the need for a healthy balance of fiction and fact to guide it.

Young Fancy has been staying in a hotel by the seaside with her Aunt Fiction and her Uncle Fact. During her stay, Fancy accompanies Miss Fairbairn and other children to the beach.

Kate Vidimos
Kate Vidimos
Author
Kate Vidimos holds a bachelor's in English from the liberal arts college at the University of Dallas and is currently working on finishing and illustrating a children’s book.