Little Women

It is interesting that Louisa May Alcott writes Little Women, in which she incorporates her own feelings and experiences. In fact, Jo’s character is a near replication of Alcott herself. This makes the novel all the more interesting and personal, with the author speaking directly through the protagonist. Alcott writes the

novel from third person limited point of view, focusing chiefly on Josephine March. She develops the characters brilliantly throughout the entire work,

especially the March girls. Each sister is entirely unique, and yet so tightly bound together through their love for one another.

Little Women takes place during the Civil War in a small town in Massachusetts. The Marchs live a life of poverty with their father in the

war. Through this hardship, the girls: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, learn to be thankful in all circumstances and help those less fortunate than themselves.

The girls are very hopeful and dream of a brighter future. Each experiences adventures and pursues her own dreams. In the end, they are still gathered

as one family, grateful for their many blessings and for each other.

Josephine March is the protagonist, a tomboy who refuses to submit to the traditional image of ladyhood. This mindset is radically different from a

typical woman of her time. Jo possesses an innate passion for writing and literature in general. However, she loses much of her headstrong independent

nature through marrying Professor Bhaer. She gives up writing as he is a significant critic of her style. The reader is exposed to two the

dramatically different sides of Jo March. She is rebellious, fiery, and outspoken, wishing all the while that she was a man who could fight in the

war along side her dear father. Jo stresses and works to keep her family together, becoming extremely upset when Meg and Amy become married. With

their father absent, Jo assumes the male role as a father figure in many ways. Nevertheless, her flaws only make Jo a more lovable character. The

reader cannot help but adore Jo for her sheer humanity, much like Huck in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Amy is the youngest March sister. She is ladylike, artistic, and is regarded as the beauty of the March family. Often fantasizing a life of riches and

popularity, Amy’s thirst for worldly pleasures represents the inner desires of man. Amy acts as a foil for Jo. Her attitudes and emotions completely

contrast with Jo’s, emphasizing Josephine’s character more so. Ladylike, artistic, Amy is regarded as the beauty of the March family. Despite Jo and

Amy’s significant differences, both struggle to balance society’s expectations and her natural, individual inclinations. Additionally, amidst

their flaws, both are lovably realistic characters.

Like Amy, Meg March also struggles with her girlish weakness for money and luxury. Ironically, Meg eventually marries a poor man whom she loves dearly.

This is Alcott’s way of resolving her problem and teaching a lesson. Meg represents the conventional and the good lady of her time, much like her

mother, “Marmee”. However, Meg has a tendency to conform into someone she is not, in order to please others. This is evident when she allows various

women to dress her as a rich girl prior to Annie Moffat’s party. Throughout the novel, Alcott presents several images of burning and fire,

representing both anger and writing. Jo arrives at Annie Moffat’s grand party with a large