Little Women

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, originally published in 1868, is set in New England and inspired by her own family and life events.

The novel begins with John Bunyan’s Christian allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, which influences the March girls—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—throughout their journey. They reference it heavily in the first part of the book, and it sets the stage until the end, as they grow into the women they are meant to become.

Mr. March’s absence takes a heavy toll on the family, who are left to take care of each other while he serves as a chaplain for the Union Army. On Christmas, Marmee gives each of her daughters, most of whom are in their teens, a guidebook that assists them in overcoming their follies and staying true to their values—such as faithfully conducting one’s work and showing compassion to others—which the girls take to heart. On Christmas morning, they sacrifice their breakfast and time to take care of the Hummels, their neighbors who have nothing.

Upon hearing the stories of their good deeds, Mr. Laurence, a wealthy neighbor, gives them delicacies, and Jo decides to become acquainted with his grandson, Laurie, who lives alone with his grandfather. Almost the same in age, the two become close, and the relationship between the two families blossoms through the years, despite their socioeconomic differences.

As the story unfolds, each of the girls is challenged by their internal struggles; their mother, whom they call Marmee, is their moral compass. Meg is led into a false fantasy by her desire to live the decadent life, only to later marry the tutor Mr. John Brooke, a man with a modest lifestyle. Jo takes control of her temper after her anger almost results in Amy’s death. Beth works to set aside her shyness, and in the end, she enters the graces of Mr. Laurence, who gives her a piano. Amy herself must deal with breaking the rules when she is caught with a bag of pickled limes at school and is humiliated and punished. Later, when she is sent to Aunt March to prevent catching Beth’s scarlet fever, she learns that there is more to life than vanities and riches, and starts to pray for her selfless and loving sister.

Before Beth falls sick, Marmee receives an urgent telegram to join her ailing husband. With Mr. Brooke, as her escort, she goes to Washington, DC, to take care of him. With Marmee gone, the girls and Hannah, their servant, try to keep Beth’s condition a secret; when it worsens, Laurie sends for Mrs. March without their knowledge. Right before Mrs. March’s arrival, Jo succeeds in nursing Beth back to health and life, and the girls are relieved that their prayers have been answered.

By Christmas, they find themselves more blessed than they could have imagined. Mr. March returns and their family is reunited. Marmee discusses Mr. Brooke’s affection for Meg, who is casual and noncommittal about the prospect of marrying him. When Mr. Brooke runs into Meg, he tries to talk to her about his feelings, which she dismisses. Aunt March tells her not to marry Mr. Brooke because he is poor and has no connections. This accusation riles Meg up, and she decides to be with Mr. Brooke because his poverty has made him a man of value. Mr. Brooke overhears Meg confirm her love for him. Although most of the family is excited at the prospect of a wedding, this decision upsets Jo, who cannot bear her family going their separate ways.

When Part 2 begins, three years have passed. Mr. Brooke returns from the army, Mr. March acclimates to life at home, and Mrs. March remains preoccupied with the girls, as they prepare for adulthood and Meg’s wedding.

With Meg and Mr. Brooke moving into their new home, the other girls follow their interests, with Jo pursuing her literary ambitions, Amy experimenting with art, and Beth keeping the household running. Eventually, Jo experiences a taste of success when she gets paid for her sensation stories. She decides to continue on this path, in order to ensure her financial freedom. In the meantime, Amy perfects herself at being a lady, which impresses Aunt March, who vouches for her, providing her with a coveted trip to Europe.

As Laurie shows feelings for Jo, she decides to leave, thinking that Beth likes him. To allow space and rid her of her own restlessness, she goes to New York to be a governess for Mrs. Kirke; while there, she meets Professor Friedrich Bhaer, a German professor. His influence grows on Jo, and she ceases to write sensation stories. She is attracted to Bhaer’s likable and humble persona. Meanwhile, in Europe, Amy discovers she can never be a genius but chooses to incorporate art into her life while toying with the idea of marrying the rich Fred Vaughn.

When Jo returns from New York, Laurie graduates from college and professes his feelings for her. She declines to be in a relationship with him because they would prove an unsuitable match. Disheartened, Laurie goes to Europe with his grandfather to mend his broken heart. At the same time, Beth grows sicker, and the family must come to terms with her death. While in Europe, Laurie and Amy bond and discover that they are compatible and capable of loving each other.

Stateside, Beth’s death leaves Jo feeling alone, especially as she realizes everyone will go their own way in life. However, the professor surprises her with a visit, and her whole family likes him. Jo and Bhaer finally confess their feelings for each other, and they plan on starting a boarding school for boys at Plumfield, which Jo has inherited from Aunt March.

In the end, the extended family comes together to celebrate Marmee’s birthday, and the sisters express their contentment as they watch their loved ones and realize they are living their dreams.