Literature Analysis: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

1.   1.  This book starts off with four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March sitting around their home, discussing their current financial hardships and the fact that they won’t be receiving Christmas presents but they still want them. They decide to buy their mother a Christmas present and receive a letter from their father who is serving for the Union in the Civil War. On Christmas morning, all the girls receive books, and help a poor family. Their generosity was returned when their neighbor sends them a Christmas feast. Meg and Jo go to a New Years Eve party but have some trouble with their appearance, which troubles Meg who very much cares what other people think. Jo meets the neighbor boy, Laurie Laurence, at the party and they hit it off. When the girls go back to their usual jobs, they are not too happy. Marmee, their mother, lectures them about being grateful for what they have and not complaining. Jo finds out that Laurie is sick and goes to keep him company and help him feel better. She becomes friends with Mr. Laurence. The girls begin spending much of their time at the Laurence’s home, and Beth bonds with Mr. Laurence because she reminds him of his granddaughter that passed away. Amy gets into trouble at school and gets struck on the hand by her teacher, something her mother is not okay with. Amy begins to be home-schooled with Beth. Amy and Jo become angry with each other, because Jo wouldn’t let Amy spend time with her and Laurie, so Amy burnt Jo’s manuscript. When Amy falls through thin ice, Laurie has to come to the rescue because Jo was scared and couldn’t move. Later, when talking to Marmee about it, she discovered that Marmee also has anger issues. When Meg visits a wealthy friend, she is reminded of her economic status. Her friends dress her in frivolous clothes for a party and Laurie sees her. He was disappointed in her for not being herself. When Meg gets home, Marmee reminds the girls that appearances are not everything; they are shallow. The girls form a club with Laurie. When the girls take a break, Marmee teaches them about responsibility. When the girls and Laurie discuss their dreams, Jo tells Laurie to run away from his grandfather, who does not want Laurie to pursue his dream of becoming a famous musician. Jo pursues her dream of becoming a famous writer by submitting two stories to the local newspaper. She then finds out from Laurie that Mr. Brookes is in love with Meg. When Mr. March becomes sick, Marmee has to go to Washington, D.C. to help him. Jo contributes money to the trip by selling her “one beauty”, her hair. Beth contracts scarlet fever from the Hummel’s baby, who died from it. Amy is sent to live with her aunt so she will not become ill.  As she recovers, Marmee returns home from Washington. While at her aunt’s, Amy took up religion from the servant, and constructed a will. Marmee approves of Amy’s actions and reveals to Jo that Mr. Brookes has admitted to being interested in Meg. It is discovered that Laurie was the one who wrote the love letter supposedly from Mr. Brookes. Mr. March comes home for Christmas. Meg tries to appease her parents by telling Mr. Brookes she is too young to be married, but will marry him in a few years.

The second section of the book starts with Meg about to get married and Mr. March home from war. Meg gets married. Amy and Jo continue to pursue their passions. Jo becomes a pretty successful writer and is able to support herself and her family. Meg and Mr. Brookes have twins. Amy is very socially conscience. Amy goes to Europe with her Aunt Carrol, and runs into Laurie’s British friend Fred who wants to court her. Jo goes to New York in order for Laurie to not love her anymore, so that he can fall in love with Beth. She meets a German professor. She begins writing meaningless stories that make her a lot of money. She breaks Laurie’s heart by rejecting his marriage proposal, and he goes to Europe. Beth tells Jo that she is going to die soon. Laurie and Amy meet up in France and begin to like each other. Meg and Mr. Brookes fix their marital problems. Amy gets Laurie out of his depression and back to pursuing his passion. Beth passes away. Laurie and Amy fall in love and he proposes. They get married. They return home and decide to help people with their money. Jo and the German professor Bhaer decide to get married. The story ends at a party in which the girls and their mother discuss all they are thankful for and that they try to make the best of everything.

2.     2. The major theme of this novel is to be thankful for what you are given. Even if things don’t seem to be working out, they will. Things have a tendency to work themselves out.

3.    3.  Louisa May Alcott’s tone was affectionate, loving, and sympathethic.

“There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.”

“But it is, as she presently discovered, for her spirits began to rise, and her table to blossom under her skillful hands, the girls were very kind, and that one little act seemed to have cleared the atmosphere amazingly.

“Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life, and cheerfully wait for death. Like a confiding child, she asked no questions, but left everything to God and nature, Father and Mother of us all, feeling sure that they, and they only, could teach and strengthen heart and spirit for this life and the life to come.”

4.  4.    Diction- The author’s word choice gave her tone the feeling of compassion.

     “She could not say, "I'm glad to go," for life was very sweet for her. She could only sob out, "I try to be willing," while she held fast to Jo, as the first bitter wave of this great sorrow broke over them together.”

“She had often said she wanted to do something splendid, no matter how hard, and now she had her wish, for what could be more beautiful than to devote her life to Father and Mother, trying to make home as happy to them as they had to her?”

“To others it might seem a ludicrous or trivial affair, but to her it was a hard experience, for during the twelve years of her life she had been governed by love alone, and a blow of that sort had never touched her before.”

Symbols- The author uses symbols as a way to include certain themes into the novel.

“I think everything was said and settled then, for as they stood together quite silent for a moment, with the dark head bent down protectingly over the light one, Amy felt that no one could comfort and sustain her so well as Laurie, and Laurie decided that Amy was the only woman in the world who could fill Jo's place and make him happy.”

“’Our burdens are here, our road is before us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is the guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace which is a true Celestial City. Now, my little pilgrims, suppose you begin again, not in play, but in earnest, and see how far you can get before Father comes home.’"

“Then she remembered her mother's promise and, slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a little crimson-covered book. She knew it very well, for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it was a true guidebook for any pilgrim going the long journey.”

Characters- Each character was a tool to help portray the theme.
“’We are never too old for this, my dear, because it is a play we are playing all the time in one way or another.’” – Marmee

"’I think I haven't done much harm yet, and may keep this to pay for my time," she said, after a long meditation, adding impatiently, "I almost wish I hadn't any conscience, it's so inconvenient. If I didn't care about doing right, and didn't feel uncomfortable when doing wrong, I should get on capitally. I can't help wishing sometimes, that Mother and Father hadn't been so particular about such things.’"- Jo

“’Rome took all the vanity out of me, for after seeing the wonders there, I felt too insignificant to live and gave up all my foolish hopes in despair.’"- Amy

Setting- Being set in the nineteenth century, when wealth had a major impact on one’s lifestyle and social status, it was easier to express the need to be thankful for what is already had.

“’Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

"It's so dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.”

"’I don't believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we do, in spite of our burned hair, old gowns, one glove apiece, and tight slippers that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them.’"

"’One discovered that money couldn't keep shame and sorrow out of rich people's houses, another that, though she was poor, she was a great deal happier, with her youth, health, and good spirits, than a certain fretful, feeble old lady who couldn't enjoy her comforts, a third that, disagreeable as it was to help get dinner, it was harder still to go begging for it and the fourth, that even carnelian rings were not so valuable as good behavior.’"

Imagery- the use of imagery allows the reader to picture what is going on, making it easier for them to understand the theme and tone.

“A poor, bare, miserable room it was, with broken windows, no fire, ragged bedclothes, a sick mother, wailing baby, and a group of pale, hungry children cuddled under one old quilt, trying to keep warm.”

“It was a comfortable old room, though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain; for a good picture or two hung on the walls, books filled the recesses, chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows, and a pleasant atmosphere of home peace pervaded it.”

“The girls flew about, trying to make things comfortable, each in her own way. Meg arranged the tea table, Jo brought wood and set chairs, dropping overturning, and clattering everything she touched, Beth trotted to and fro between parlor and kitchen, quiet and busy, while Amy gave directions to everyone, as she sat with her hands folded.”