Little Women | Book Review | 1868 | Louisa May Alcott

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American author best known for her novel, Little Women. She was also a journalist, and an advocate for social justice and women’s rights. Alcott authored several other works, including Little Men and Jo’s Boys. She also wrote thrillers and Gothic novels under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard. Her upbringing in an intellectually stimulating, socially conscious environment influenced her writing as well as her commitment to women’s issues.

Her father, Amos Bronson Alcott, was a philosopher and educational reformer who founded the Temple School in Boston. He was a leading figure in the transcendentalist movement, which emphasized individualism, intuition, and self-reliance. Her mother, Abigail May Alcott, was an abolitionist, women’s rights’ activist, and artist who encouraged her daughters’ artistic and intellectual interests.

Louisa May Alcott’s legacy as a writer continues to be celebrated for her undying themes and memorable characters.

SYNOPSIS

First published in 1868, Little Women is a timeless classic. The book is a captivating coming-of-age narrative that follows the lives of four sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – as they navigate the tumultuous transition from childhood to adulthood against the backdrop of the American Civil War. A vintage bildungsroman of sorts, the novel focuses on the personal growth of the sisters as they grapple with issues concerning family, love, independence, and social expectations. Drawing on her own experiences of growing up in a socially conscious family, Alcott has managed to realistically portray life in nineteenth-century America.

The two-part novel captures the emotional and intellectual growth of the March sisters. Alcott’s characters are remarkably distinct, each possessing their unique strengths and weaknesses. While Meg embodies responsibility and tradition, Jo epitomizes independence and creativity. Likewise, Beth personifies gentleness and compassion, whereas Amy stands for competitiveness and materialism. Collectively, their temperaments contribute to the intricate, inter-character dynamics. They are bound together by the enduring personality of their mother, Mrs. March or “Marmee”, who is a strong-willed, deeply moral and compassionate figure. It is she who instills virtues like kindness, charity and hard work in her daughters.

The novel artfully reflects the principles of transcendentalism, a philosophical movement that emphasizes individualism, intuition, and the connection between humanity and nature. Jo embodies many of these principles, valuing her individuality and rejecting societal norms while finding inspiration in the natural world around her. The March sisters’ emphasis on kindness, compassion, and community also reflects these transcendentalist values.

Little Women masterfully explores themes of family, love, and personal growth while touching on important social issues of the time, such as the role of women in society and the abolition of slavery. The sisters’ unwavering bond and sense of community help them overcome the many challenges of growing up and finding their place in the world.

Through its lasting popularity, Little Women has inspired countless adaptations and spin-offs, including films, TV shows, and stage productions. As a cherished classic of American literature, it continues to captivate readers, young and old, with its timeless themes and unforgettable characters.

WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women is a historical masterpiece that depicts the transition and revolutions a society goes through, something that continues to make the book resonate with readers even today. Alcott’s writing style is simple yet deeply engaging. She has beautifully incorporated many elements of transcendentalism into the book’s themes and characters, adding to its richness and complexity as a work of literature.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ABOUT LITTLE WOMEN

The novel has an added dose of sentimentality, particularly in the second half. At times, this makes the book’s rather heavy themes come over as less convincing and more pompous.

QUOTES

I don’t pretend to be wise, but I am observing, and I see a great deal more than you’d imagine. I’m interested in other people’s experiences and inconsistencies, and, though I can’t explain, I remember and use them for my own benefit.

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 chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.

Jo was one of those people who could not bear to see others suffer, so when she saw her mother’s worried face, she knew she had to act fast.

CONCLUSION