Little Women Summary. it is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott, originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869 at the request of her publisher. The story follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—and details their passage from childhood to womanhood. Loosely based on the lives of the author and her three sisters, it is classified as an autobiographical or semi-autobiographical novel.
Little Women novel has been said to address three major themes: "domesticity, work, and true love, all of them interdependent and each necessary to the achievement of its heroine's individual identity." According to Sarah Elbert, Alcott created a new form of literature, one that took elements from romantic children's fiction and combined it with others from sentimental novels, resulting in a totally new genre. Elbert argues that within Little Women can be found the first vision of the "All-American girl" and that her various aspects are embodied in the differing March sisters.
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| Little Women Synopsis |
Little Women Summary
Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March are four sisters living with their mother in New England. Their father is away serving as a chaplain in the Civil War, and the sisters struggle to support themselves and keep their household running despite the fact that the family recently lost its fortune. In the process, they become close friends with their wealthy neighbor, Theodore Laurence, known as "Laurie."
As the girls grow older, each faces her own personal demons and moral challenges. Jo, our beloved protagonist, must tame her tomboyish ways and learn to be more ladylike while pursuing her ambition to be a great writer. Meg, the oldest, must put aside her love of wealth and finery in order to follow her heart. Beth, the shy one, must conquer her bashfulness, while Amy, the youngest, has to sacrifice her aristocratic pride. The girls are guided in their personal growth by their mother, "Marmee," and by their religious faith.
The family's tight bonds are forever changed when Meg falls in love with John Brooke, Laurie's tutor. Meg and John marry and begin a home of their own, quickly populated by twins Daisy and Demi. Another marriage seems imminent when Laurie reveals to Jo that he has fallen in love with her, but she declares that she cannot care for him in the same way. Jo goes to New York as the governess for a family friend, Mrs. Kirke, experiencing the big city and trying her hand as a professional writer. Meanwhile, Amy travels through Europe with her wealthy Aunt Carroll and cousin Flo, nurturing her artistic talent. Separately, Laurie goes to Europe accompanied by his grandfather. He pursues his passion for music and tries to forget Jo.
While in New York, Jo meets German expatriate Professor Bhaer, whose intellect and strong moral nature spark her interest. Across the Atlantic, Laurie and Amy discover that they lack the genius to be great artists, but that they make an excellent romantic pairing. When Beth, who has never been strong, dies young, the sorrow of their loss solidifies Amy's bond to Laurie. Back in the States, Jo returns home to care for her bereaved parents and learns to embrace her domestic side.
All the loose ends are tied up as Jo and Professor Bhaer marry and start a boarding school for boys, while Amy and Laurie marry and use the Laurence family wealth to support struggling young artists. The Brooke, Bhaer, and Laurence households flourish, and the novel ends with a birthday party for Marmee, celebrating the extended March family connections and the progress of Jo's boarding school, Plumfield.
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Little Women Book Themes
Coming of Age: The novel chronicles the lives of the March sisters as they navigate their teenage years and transition into adulthood. Each sister faces unique challenges and experiences personal growth, learning valuable lessons about self-discovery, responsibility, and maturity.
Family and Sisterhood: The bond between the March sisters is at the heart of the story. Despite their differences, they support and rely on each other unconditionally, offering love, encouragement, and strength through shared joys and hardships. The novel highlights the importance of family and the cherished connections formed within it.
The Role of Women: Set in the 19th century, the book explores the societal expectations and limitations placed on women of the time. Each March sister challenges these restrictions in their own way, pursuing their individual aspirations and dreams, whether it be writing, acting, teaching, or simply living a life true to themselves. This theme raises questions about gender roles and societal expectations, resonating with readers of various eras.
Poverty and Social Class: The March family struggles financially throughout the novel, highlighting the realities of poverty and the challenges faced by those of lower social standing. It explores themes of self-reliance, resourcefulness, and finding joy and contentment amidst hardship.
Morality and Values: Throughout the story, the March girls strive to be good and kind, guided by strong moral principles instilled by their mother. They learn valuable lessons about honesty, compassion, forgiveness, and responsibility, navigating choices and challenges with integrity.
Dreams and Aspirations: Each March sister harbors dreams and aspirations beyond their current circumstances. The novel emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's dreams, even in the face of obstacles, and encourages readers to nurture their own ambitions and talents.
Love and Marriage: The book depicts various forms of love, from familial bonds to romantic relationships. While marriage is presented as a desirable future for some of the characters, it is not the ultimate goal for all. The novel explores the complexities of love and relationships, questioning societal expectations and highlighting the importance of individual choice.
Questions and Answers about Little Women Plot
What is the short summary of the book Little Women? Little Women is a coming of age story that begins in Civil War America. It follows the lives and growth from girlhood to womanhood of the four March girls: Meg, 17; Josephine (or Jo), 15; Beth, 14; and Amy, 12.
What is the main point of the Little Women? While on the surface a simple story about the four March girls' journeys from childhood to adulthood, Little Women centers on the conflict between two emphases in a young woman's life—that which she places on herself, and that which she places on her family.
Does Jo marry the professor? So, Jo writes an ending in which she marries Professor Bhaer—but she lives out a different ending entirely. In fact, the ending of Little Women is more like a beginning. Jo's childhood may be over, but she's forging the independent life she always craved.
Why did Meg marry John? Meg says that she did not realize how much she admired Mr. Brooke until she had to defend him. He is thrilled by her realization and asks her to marry him in a few years. Meg agrees, and her parents consent.
Did Laurie love Jo or Amy? While Laurie might have initially thought he wanted to spend his life with Jo, he did grow to love Amy, leaving fans of the book and the movie adaptation debating who his perfect match is for years.
How old was Amy when she married Laurie? Though it's never clearly specified, Laurie was born the same year as Jo, making him the same age as her, obviously — 15 at the start of the story. At age 22 he proposes to Jo, which she turns down, and he later heads off to Europe. There, he meets Amy and one year later proposes to her (which she accepts) at age 23.