Maria Veronica B.

Miguel

Little Woman
By Louisa May Alcott

Alcott's story begins with the four March girls name Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy sitting
in their living room, regretting their poverty. The girls decide that they will each buy
themselves a present to brighten their Christmas. Soon, however, they change their
minds and decide that instead of buying gifts for themselves, they will buy gifts for
their mother, Marmee. Marmee comes home with a letter from Mr. March, the girls'
father, who is serving as a Union chaplain in the Civil War. The letter encourages the
girls to endure their burdens cheerfully rather than complaining about their poverty.

While Little Women appears to be a simple story about the four March sisters'
journey from childhood to adulthood, it actually focuses on the conflict between two
emphases in a young woman's life: ones she places on herself and the others she
places on her family. An emphasis on domestic duties and family life detracts from
various women's abilities to witness their own personal growth in the novel. The
problem of being both a professional artist and an obedient woman creates conflict
and pushes the boundaries set by nineteenth-century American society for Jo and, in
some cases, Amy.

Little Women calls into question the validity of both male and female gender
stereotypes. Jo does not always want to be a typical female. She disregards traditional
gender expectations through her desires and actions. She wants to earn a living, for
example—a duty commonly reserved for men. She also wears a burnt-out dress to a
party, demonstrating that she lacks social grace, a quality that nineteenth-century
American society practised in women. Similarly, Laurie does not always want to be
an ordinary man. He wishes to pursue music, a culturally feminine pursuit at the time,
rather than business, a culturally masculine pursuit.

Over the course of Little Women, the March sisters try to find happiness through
everyday activities, their dreams, and each other; but when they do not engage in any
productive work, they end up guilty and regretful. When they indulge in selfishness
by dressing up in finery, hoarding limes, neglecting chores, or getting revenge, the
girls end up unhappy. Working for a living or for the benefit of their families is the
only way they can find meaningful happiness.

Little Women takes great pains to teach a lesson about the importance of being
genuine. To emphasize this point, Alcott compares the Marches to more wealthy
young women such as Amy Moffat and Sally Gardiner. Enlightenment the importance
of focusing on the inner spiritual self rather than on temporary, earthly conditions
such as wealth and impressive appearances, and Alcott incorporates this philosophy
into Little Women. Meg and Amy, for example, struggle with and eventually
overcome arrogance. Amy declines Fred Vaughn's marriage proposal, despite his
wealth, because she does not love him. The March sisters all learn to be content with
their lives and not yearn for meaningless riches.