Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is a work of American literature that has captivated readers for many decades, including me. Louisa May Alcott was first introduced to me when I was a small boy in the early 1950s while playing the card game Authors with my mother. I recall seeing her image on playing cards at the time among other well-known American writers like Mark Twain, Washington Irving, and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Little Women, a novel that is largely based on Louisa May Alcott’s childhood and her relationships with her three sisters, has won the hearts of readers of all ages. The decisions taken by the four sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy help the reader understand what it was like to be an American girl and young woman in the second half of the 19th century.

Little Women left behind the values of independence, originality, freedom, and community, according to Regina Barreca, a professor of English and feminist philosophy at the University of Connecticut.

About the story

Before Christmas in (possibly) 1861, the book starts. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, Mrs. March’s four daughters, are likely residing in the New England region of the United States in subpar housing conditions. The father, Mr. March, serves as a chaplain for the Union Army during the Civil War.

The Marches provide a German immigrant family’s breakfast on Christmas Day after learning that the mother had recently given birth. Meg and Jo go to a Christmas party in a far-off area the days before New Year’s Day. They run into Laurie, the 15-year-old guy who lives next door, there.

Jo forms a friendship with Laurie during the following few days. He initially establishes a close relationship with Jo and quickly becomes like a brother to all of the sisters. The March family and the Laurence family (Laurie and Mr. Laurence) become closer the following year. Laurie participates in all of the girls’ exciting daily activities, such as writing groups, picnics, skating, and movie outings.

In the year, Meg and John Brooke start dating, and Jo begins to write short tales for money. Amy is disciplined at school for trying to win the admiration of her peers by hiding a stock of illegal lemons in her desk, while Jo is advised on how to control her rage. Mr. Laurence rewards Beth for winning him over by playing the piano by giving her a little piano that was meant for his deceased granddaughter.

In December of possibly 1862, after Mrs. March leaves for Washington, D.C., to be with her sickly husband who has pneumonia, Beth catches scarlet fever and nearly dies from it. However, Beth’s fever breaks just in time for Mr. and Mrs. March and John Brook to arrive from Washington, making Christmas joyous.

After three years, the March sisters are essentially all “small women” when section two of the book begins. Laurie begins his college career after Meg and John Brooke are married. Amy is awarded by her aunt and other family members with a lengthy trip to Europe after impressing them with her politeness.

Jo begins to think Beth is in love with Laurie after a while. Jo chooses to accept a job as a governess in New York City for the fall and winter in a boarding home run by Mrs. March’s acquaintance to allow a connection between them to grow. Jo meets Professor Bahre while there and continues to write.

Jo returns home shortly after Laurie finishes college and expresses interest in getting married. Laurie is devastated when Jo declines but decides to accompany his grandfather on a lengthy journey to Europe to forget about Jo. Laurie meets Amy while she is in Europe.

Summary

Since Jo was my favorite March sister, I was upset when she declined Lori’s invitation. I read the book a while ago, therefore I don’t remember the finale. I must add this to my list of books to read so I won’t forget what happened to the March sisters.

Authors signature

It’s fantastic to see people appreciating this story as it deserves because I’ve read “Little Women” many times and it’s one of my all-time favorite books (I wrote an article about it last year). This is beautifully written, I would love to read his book review blogs too.