At the beginning of chapter XVI, titled Letters, the girls are reading by the candlelight after Marmee has gone to Washington D.C., upon receiving information that Mr. March has become ill. Alcott states that “for now the shadow of a real trouble had come, showing them (the girls) how rich in sunshine their lives had been” (Alcott 134). Here, Alcott is attempting to convey to her 19th century audience that especially during the time of the Civil War, families should cherish any precious or joyous moments that may be experienced. The Civil War was largely a time of great hardship and distress for many because most had either a father, husband, child, etc. away fighting for months at a time. As a result, contact was limited and due to limitations on medical technology, when a soldier was wounded or became ill, the probability of death was high. This scene is one of the first instances in the novel where Amy, Beth, Jo and Meg experience this state of hardship; Marmee is gone traveling and the health of their father or knowledge of if he will even survive is unknown to the girls. Alcott is attempting to portray to the reader that complete happiness during this time is hard to find and may be short lived, therefore, it should not be taken for granted, but rather embraced