Ms Essays (942 words) - English-language Films, Little Women

It is interesting that Louisa May Alcott writes Little Women, in which she incorporates her own feelings and experiences. In fact, Jo's character is a near replication of Alcott herself. This makes the novel all the more interesting and personal, with the author speaking directly through the protagonist. Alcott writes the novel from third person limited point of view, focusing chiefly on Josephine March. She develops the characters brilliantly throughout the entire work, especially the March girls. Each sister is entirely unique, and yet so tightly bound together through their love for one another. Little Women takes place during the Civil War in a small town in Massachusetts. The Marchs live a life of poverty with their father in the war. Through this hardship, the girls: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, learn to be thankful in all circumstances and help those less fortunate than themselves. The girls are very hopeful and dream of a brighter future. Each experiences adventures and pursues her own dreams. In the end, they are still gathered as one family, grateful for their many blessings and for each other. Josephine March is the protagonist, a tomboy who refuses to submit to the traditional image of ladyhood. This mindset is radically different from a typical woman of her time. Jo possesses an innate passion for writing and literature in general. However, she loses much of her headstrong independent nature through marrying Professor Bhaer. She gives up writing as he is a significant critic of her style. The reader is exposed to two the dramatically different sides of Jo March. She is rebellious, fiery, and outspoken, wishing all the while that she was a man who could fight in the war along side her dear father. Jo stresses and works to keep her family together, becoming extremely upset when Meg and Amy become married. With their father absent, Jo assumes the male role as a father figure in many ways. Nevertheless, her flaws only make Jo a more lovable character. The reader cannot help but adore Jo for her sheer humanity, much like Huck in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Amy is the youngest March sister. She is ladylike, artistic, and is regarded as the beauty of the March family. Often fantasizing a life of riches and popularity, Amy's thirst for worldly pleasures represents the inner desires of man. Amy acts as a foil for Jo. Her attitudes and emotions completely contrast with Jo's, emphasizing Josephine's character more so. Ladylike, artistic, Amy is regarded as the beauty of the March family. Despite Jo and Amy's significant differences, both struggle to balance society's expectations and her natural, individual inclinations. Additionally, amidst their flaws, both are lovably realistic characters. Like Amy, Meg March also struggles with her girlish weakness for money and luxury. Ironically, Meg eventually marries a poor man whom she loves dearly. This is Alcott's way of resolving her problem and teaching a lesson. Meg represents the conventional and the good lady of her time, much like her mother, "Marmee". However, Meg has a tendency to conform into someone she is not, in order to please others. This is evident when she allows various women to dress her as a rich girl prior to Annie Moffat's party. Throughout the novel, Alcott presents several images of burning and fire, representing both anger and writing. Jo arrives at Annie Moffat's grand party with a large burned spot on the back of her dress, representing her resistance to traditional, and perhaps unrealistic, female role in society. When Jo forbids Amy to come to a play with her, Amy burns Jo's manuscript in a fit of rage. Jo, in turn, burns her own writings that are criticized by her beloved Professor Bhaer. Initially, fire seems to destroy Jo, however, it succeeds in marking the end of the fiery girl she once was. Alcott also emphasizes the use of umbrellas in the novel. This represents the protection a man gives to a woman. When Mr. Brooks offers his umbrella to Meg, Jo is infuriated that a man cares for her sister. Again at the conclusion of the novel, Professor Bhaer holds his umbrella over Jo, offering his love and protection to her.