Civil War Journal Response

At first in her entries she is convinced that she can not fight in the war, and that she only wished to see one. She longs to be a man so that she may fight in the war, but since she can't she would work. She states her excitement by saying "I like the stir in the air." She uses the metaphor "Like a warhorse when he smells powder." To exaggerate her excitement. Alcott wants to become a nurse for 3 main reasons. She must let out her pent up energy in some new way. She wants new experiences and to help those whom may need it. When she gets accepted into the hospital where she is taking someones place, seeing her family before she leaves makes her ask her mother if she should stay. Her mother says no, so she goes. Later on she decides that she wants to fight. She reflects on her younger life and remembers wishing to even see a war, and to be a man and fight.