Although the setting in Louise May Alcott's Little Women (Signet Classic 1983) is the 1800s, it is important to read and discuss this book with children in order to help them understand that even though these ideals for women were the norm, they were and are not correct. One should explain to the children that even in the 1800s women were trying to step out of the traditional roles, pursue their dreams, and lead independent lives.
Role of Women in the Novel
The roles of women as proper ladies, wives, and mothers are very specific in this book. The girls are encouraged to pursue their individual interests as long as they are children. As they become young women, it is made clear to them through Marmee that “to be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing” (112).
Because such an emphasis is placed on the traditional roles of women in this novel, should this book be put away by feminists so that their girls and boys are not subjected to the brainwashing of hearth and home?
Rutgers University Professor of Children's Literature Kay Vandergrift believes in the power of literature for children and acknowledges that what children read helps mold who they become.
“An acquaintance with and an understanding of literary characters is one of the first ways a young child has of making sense of what it is to be human,” writes Vandergrift. “We all come to know more clearly who and what we are while reaching out, imaginatively, for what we might become. As the child dwells in and wonders at the lives lived in story, she comes to know both herself and the world.”
Although the traditional roles of women are emphasized in this book, conversations and discussion can be enacted with children to talk about how women were treated, were expected to behave, and how that is not acceptable and why.
Jo: The Relinquished Independent Spirit
One of the characters that most readers attach to is Jo who is portrayed as the free spirit, and who at first does not give into societal expectations. Meg, the oldest, scolds Jo for this free spirit and lack of manners (38). Jo’s lack of manners includes speaking to men first, running, and stating her own opinions.
Jo strives to model Marmee’s anger control, but falls short on many occasions. On one such occasion Jo loses her temper when Amy is chosen to go to Europe with their aunt. “It isn’t fair, cries Jo passionately” (355). However, Marmee blames Jo for not being chosen. “I’m afraid it is your fault…Aunt…regretted your blunt manners and too independent spirit” (355). For the young adult reading this, a message is given to conform to what others expect from you in order to get what you want.
For a time, Jo resists the temptation to conform in order to achieve society’s approval. She denies Laurie’s romantic overtures even though he is someone who could provide for her. However, in order to escape his overtures, she leaves for New York to work as a governess, but also in order to pursue her dreams of being a writer. “The teaching would render her independent, and such leisure as she got might be made profitable by writing” (381).
Marmee supports Jo, but her parting comments are, “You I leave to enjoy your liberty till you tire of it, for only then will you find that there is something sweeter” (380). In their childhood and young adult life they are encouraged to be independent, yet Marmee continually reminds them that “to be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing” (112).
While in New York, Jo meets Professor Bhaer. He questions her morality in her writing and calls the newspapers she writes for trash. She respects him, and this respect causes her to question her own aspirations. “He was watching to see if she would accept and profit by his reproof” (410). Jo is almost twenty-five in this scene, yet Professor Bhaer watches her as if she is a child.
Jo does change her behavior based on the reproof of the Professor, “She stood the test, and he was satisfied…she had given up writing” (410). Soon after this Jo moves back home where she does write, but this is where the home stories develop, but her independence is gone.
Dreams Denied
As the book draws to a close and spinsterhood looms for Jo, she gives up her dreams and embraces romance. She gives up writing and uses the inherited Aunt Marsh’s estate as a school for boys.
Even though Alcott paints a beautiful romantic scene when the Professor asks Jo to marry him, there is bit of sadness in the whole scene. Jo says, “I may write a good book yet, but I can wait…” (560).
Jo even calls her desire, “selfish, lonely, and cold” (560). Marmee applauds her decision because she aspires to be a good wife and mother, allowing her husband to pursue his dreams of a school.
Giving up writing, her independence, and choosing to marry shows the pressure that women in the 1800s underwent, but it also can be used by teachers and parents to emphasize how those ideals are wrong, and that the pursuit of dreams and aspirations by anyone, boy or girl, should be encouraged over societal expectations.
Paula Wilder - Paula is a freelance writer and speaker. She also teaches developmental reading and English at Guilford Technical Community College. She ...
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