Little Women

“‘It is one of her aristocratic tastes, and quite proper for a real lady is always known by neat boots, gloves, and handkerchief,’ replied Meg, who had a good many little ‘aristocratic tastes’ of her own.”

Meg’s definition of a real lady changes over time, especially with regard to marriage and motherhood. In this scene, she convinces Jo to attend Mrs. Gardiner’s ball with her, and as they leave, Marmee asks if they have their handkerchiefs. In spite of their poverty, they believe in taking care of themselves, and they use little things to make a difference to their appearance. However, this also reveals Meg’s weakness for luxuries, a weakness she ultimately sets aside when she chooses to marry for love and not money.

“These turnovers were an institution, and the girls called them ‘muffs,’ for they had no others and found the hot pies very comforting to their hands on cold mornings. Hannah never forgot to make them, no matter how busy or grumpy she might be, for the walk was long and bleak; the poor things got no other lunch and were seldom home before two.”

Meg and Jo travel to their respective employers, the Kings and Aunt March. Both the Kings and Aunt March are much more well-off than Meg and Jo’s family. Throughout the walk, although Meg complains about having to work, the girls understand that this allows them some financial freedom, and it shapes their work ethic in the future.

“We can’t give up our girls for a dozen fortunes. Rich or poor, we will keep together and be happy in one another.”

During Mr. March’s difficult times, Aunt March offers to adopt one of the girls. However, he and Marmee decline the offer, preferring to keep the family intact. For them, family is more important than fortune, a theme that echoes throughout the novel.

“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 chirpings, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.”

Beth’s goodness often allows her to be overlooked as if she is not appreciated. Hints such as this passage create greater respect for her, as she ultimately dies and one of her worries is that she did nothing in life. In actuality, her existence meant much to many.

“I beg your pardon for being rude, but sometimes you forget to put down the curtain at the window, where the flowers are; and when the lamps are lighted, it’s like looking at a picture to see the fire, and you all round the table with your mother; her face is right opposite, and it looks so sweet behind the flowers, I can’t help watching it. I haven’t got any mother you know.”

Laurie admits to Jo that he peeks into her house at times. He does so because he is an orphan, and in his own house there are no women. His confession reveals the importance of women in creating a home, and the flowers add to the feminine aspect that is missing in his own life.

“Beth ceased to fear [Mr. Laurence] from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.”

Beth is able to see past her shyness and apprehension to witness a man, in Mr. Laurence, who is no different than her in terms of giving and needing love. She grows to love him and stands in for the granddaughter he lost. He also decides to make himself vulnerable to her affection, which is a vital step in helping him to open up to his own grandson.

“My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sings, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.” 

Jo is worried that her temper could have killed Amy and seeks her mother’s advice. Marmee admits that she had the same problem. It was the love and support of their father that allowed Marmee to overcome her challenges, as he would guide her from veering toward her weakness of wrath. Marmee advises Jo that an even greater father—God—exists that can help her with her challenges even more.

“Margaret sat thinking a moment, while Jo stood with her hands behind her, looking both interested and a little perplexed, for it was a new thing to see Meg blushing and talking about admiration, lovers, and things of that sort; and Jo felt as if during that fortnight her sister had grown up amazingly, and was drifting away from her into a world where she could not follow.” 

The party at the Moffats’ changes Meg, as she becomes acquainted with not only luxury, but gossip and rumors, particularly in regard to her and Laurie. Marmee assures the girls that she has no conniving plan to marry them to rich men. But she does have plans for shaping the girls into women of quality who can find virtuous men to be their companions.

“Then let me advise you to take up your little burdens again, for though they seem heavy sometimes, they are good for us, and lighten as we learn to carry them. Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone; it keeps from ennui and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence better than money or fashion.”

Summer arrives, and the older sisters decide that they shall utilize their ample time by doing nothing. The younger sisters follow suit. In their attempt to be lazy, they end up accruing more work, and when mishaps ensue, they realize Marmee is right: Hard work is satisfying and enjoyable if done properly.

“Brooke will scratch up a fortune somehow, carry her off, and make a hold in the family; and I shall break my heart, and everything will be abominably uncomfortable. Oh, dear me! Why weren’t we all boys, then there wouldn’t be any bother.”

Jo realizes that entry into womanhood is painful, as Meg fulfills the expectations of marriage and accepts Mr. Brooke’s proposal. Even though changing their gender would still not prevent the family from breaking up, Jo believes that by being boys, at least the sisters would have more say in their future.

“‘It’s worse than boots, it’s a silk dress,’ she said, with the calmness of desperation, for she wanted the worst over.”

Meg caves in to her desires and buys a silk dress that she can’t afford to impress upon her friend that she is not poor. However, the situation backfires as Meg realizes that the expense is beyond budget, and Mr./ Brooke, who trusted her, will be disappointed. Eventually, she tells the same friend the truth, and the friend helps Meg by buying the silk, showing that friendship is based on authenticity.

“Women should learn to be agreeable, particularly poor ones, for they have no other way of repaying the kindnesses they receive. If you’d remember that, and practice it, you’d be better liked than I am, because there is more of you.”

Amy lectures Jo about her lack of tact. As her sister, Amy knows that Jo can be charming and has much to impart. This advice tames Jo, who knows Amy is right. It also reveals that Amy, despite being the youngest, has a far greater understanding of her place in the world.

“Why, girls, you needn’t praise me so. I only did as I’d be done by. You laugh at me when I say I want to be a lady, but I mean a true gentlewoman in mind and manner, and I try to do it as far as I know how.”

At Mrs. Chester’s fair, Amy is shunned by Mrs. Chester and her daughter and given the worst table at the event. Instead of being insulted, Amy tries to make the best of the situation and even assists May in selling her artwork. Her kind gesture contrasts with the pettiness of the Chesters, and eventually May apologizes.

“She saw that money conferred power: money and power, therefore, she resolved to have, not to be used for herself alone, but for those whom loved more than self.”

Jo discovers her writing talent can pay, and she finds herself in a place to provide for those she loves—an option that is more freely available to a man. In some ways, this allows her to be the male she always wanted to be. In Louisa May Alcott’s own life, she gave her family the financial freedom that her own father could not provide.

“He did his best and did it manfully, but I don’t think he found that a pair of rampant boys, a pipe, or even the divine Plato, were satisfactory substitutes for wife and child and home.”

Professor Bhaer realizes that his life has an empty space that intellect, hobbies, and his nephews cannot fill. He wants to be loved, and in accordance with the themes of the novel, he desires that joy which only can be given by a family and home. Jo winds up feeling similarly, and the two eventually wed.

“Nothing more, except that I don’t believe I shall ever marry. I’m happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in any hurry to give it up for any mortal man.”

Jo rejects Laurie in this scene. In doing so, readers see a woman who does not choose a man simply because they are friends, he is rich and handsome, or because she is lonely. Jo shows that women can also have preferences—and adhere to them.

“I only mean to say that I have a feeling that it never was intended I should live long. I’m not like the rest of you; I never made any plans about what I’d do when I grew up; I never thought of being married, as you all did. I couldn’t seem to imagine myself anything but stupid little Beth, trotting about at home, of no use anywhere but there.”

Beth’s character, while in many ways innocent and weak, might also be seen as divinely pessimistic. Presented as ghostlike and without any desire to make her way in the world, she excels at the piano, so much so that it awes her family. While kind and helpful to others, she views life past the family home as meaningless.

“I know it, Meg, for I’ve tried it, and I seldom give advice unless I’ve proved its practicability.”

As Meg faces a dilemma between her children and her husband, she comes to Marmee, who is ready with advice and is already aware that there was trouble brewing. This line shows that Marmee does not only spout principles, but she is also practical, as wasting words is not in line with her values. Her confidence in her lived experience makes her a strong character and an ideal woman.

“Love Jo all your days, if you choose, but don’t let it spoil you, for it’s wicked to throw away so many good gifts because you can’t have the one you want. There, I won’t lecture any more, for I know you’ll wake up and be a man in spite of that hardhearted girl.”

Amy gives Laurie a lecture that changes him into the man he will become. Although he does not take it well at first, in time he uses her advice to motivate him. Eventually, Amy and Laurie will wed.

“Well, he was a great man, and when he couldn’t have one sister he took the other, and was happy.”

Laurie thinks of Mozart, who married the sister of someone he loved when that person rejected him. As Laurie recovers from heartbreak and pours his energies into a life of value, his life and thoughts are moving him toward Amy. In the end, when they do marry, he is happy because he makes the choice as a calm man and not a passionate boy.

“Mothers are the best lovers in the world, but I don’t mind whispering to Marmee that I’d like to try all kinds. It’s very curious, but the more I try to satisfy myself with all sorts of natural affections, the more I seem to want.”

Marmee tries to show Jo that love is all around her and that the best love will come for her. Jo responds that the best love has come to her in the form of her mother. Marmee is the girls’ beacon, and her love is greater than the love of any man.

“Don’t laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, healthy, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God’s sight.” 

Jo is depressed thinking that her life has amounted to nothing. She worries that she is doomed to be a spinster. Although both these ideas are proven wrong, this quote reflects the life of Alcott herself, who chose to remain single.

“When no one could eat any more, the Professor proposed the first regular toast, which was always drunk at such times—‘Aunt March, God bless her!’”

Even though Aunt March appears acerbic and stern, she does have a special heart for the girls and her intentions are positive. Amy may have been her favorite, but she seems to realize that Amy can attain anything she sets her sights on. Therefore, she leaves Plumfield to Jo, who served as her companion for a time, and this gift proves to be a great blessing to Jo and Professor Bhaer as they have a home to create their dream in.