Afterglow scene in Little Men

​Anonymous asked:Please share the "afterglow" moment between Jo and Fritz that you once mentioned. I need it, you know, for reasons. 👀

I found it :D
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"We give them the kindly spirit that shines through the simplest demeanour making it courteous and cordial, like you my dear old boy"

"Tut tut! we will not compliment; for if I begin you will run away and I have a wish to enjoy this happy half hour to the end?" yet Mr Bhaer looked pleased with the compliment for it was true and Mrs Jo felt that she had received the best her husband could give her by saying that he found his truest rest and happiness in her society".
-Little Men, Chapter Goldilocks

It probably depends on the edition but in this one that I have, it´s said that Fritz is laying on the couch Jo next to him, after a long sweaty day in the garden.

All the conversations in Little Men between Jo and Fritz are very warm and intimate. Kinda reminds me of that notion of Louisa and Henry having a "telepathic connection" (plus he also worked sweaty in the garden). They are very playful conversations. He is teasing her and she him, in the most adorable ways, and what is funny about is that when they tease each other, they really just give each other compliments.

What I love about this is how Jo feels that the place next to Friedrich is the best place in the world and they have this specific time each day that they spend with one another. It makes me think of something that Arithanas could have written. He also wants her to be close to her physically and emotionally.
In Little Women, there is the sex scene between Meg and John which is referred to as a "moment of bliss".

Here we have "truest rest and happiness" (which I always read as afterglow) Now that I read this again he actually sounds kinda suggestive so maybe it´s foreplay.

Now, Louisa got into a bit of trouble with Little Women part 2. It was considered too much of an adult novel and there were some people and organizations who even wanted to ban it because of "moment of bliss" and Jo´s sexual awakening with Fritz. Most readers don´t even pay attention to these details now (which I blame the adaptations) but I think it´s actually pretty amazing.

I did find this fun blog post how words like "moment of bliss" and "truest rest and happiness" were used as euphemism.
"Nineteenth-century" people also used euphemisms for sex and sexual activity. As I've said before, contrary to nineteenth-century stereotypes, Maggie clearly enjoys her sexual relationship with Eli. However, propriety demands that she refrain from being too graphic when she speaks about it or when she writes in her journal. In A Time to Heal she uses an alternate term, "free," when writing about sexual activity in her journal, and yet it's clear what she is referring to. I was taught the value of modesty, Journal. But having been married twice, I also learned the value of being free with one’s husband. Today Eli and I were free by the little pond on our property.

In the same journal entry, she also uses the word "pleasant" and the phrase "enjoy each other" to indicate sexual activity.While it would not be prudent to give details of our afternoon, allow me to say that it was quite pleasant. The sun was warm, and we dried quickly after our swim. Then we enjoyed each other’s company while the birds called sweetly, and the cicadas whirred in the trees" https://www.squeakingpips.com/blog/nineteenth-century-euphemisms

Sorry that it took forever for me to reply. This might surprise some, but I am really slow reading in English.
​(originally posted in Tumblr )