Onondaga Central
For generations, women young, old, and anywhere in between have looked up to the works of Louisa May Alcott. Her stories are sensationalized throughout the world, being rewritten dozens of times in abridged versions for younger readers to enjoy, along with dramatizing her novels into TV shows and movies on numerous occasions. Little Women, one of her most famous books, has captured the attention of millions and inspired us all. First written in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, Little Women, a coming-of-age novel, follows the lives of four resilient sisters. The story follows the March sisters, including Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, and details life’s precious moments and life lessons. By 1880, the two novels were issued into a single book. Sequels included Little Men and Jo’s boy, all of which carry on many vital themes. One moral is that self-sacrifice will bring happiness to others, ultimately bringing happiness to you by creating a balance between family duties and personal desires to flourish. Alcott teaches her readers that true sacrifice is rooted in love, compassion, charity, and selflessness. To young girls, Little Women teaches them to stand up for what they believe in and that their future has no limits because of their gender. The title, Little Women, refers to the period where young childhood and elder childhood are overlapping with young womanhood, proving war can cause one to have to grow up too fast. Little Women is set in Boston, during and directly after the Civil War. Mr. March has enlisted in the war, making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The novel begins on Christmas Eve when all the characters are introduced. Throughout the novel, the four sisters struggle to survive amidst a war and through poverty. The eldest is Meg, the poised, elegant, beautiful daughter, seeking to be the perfect woman. Then there is Jo, a talented writer and notorious tomboy, and her sidekick Beth, a tragically frail, timid girl, and a musical prodigy. The youngest is Amy, spoiled and immature in the beginning. With father being off at war, each sister must pull their weight to help Marmee put food on the table and keep them warm and sheltered. Jo, not being one to shy away from anything or anyone, meets Laurie, the shy neighbor. Laurie and Jo hit it off, instantly becoming friends. Laurie is thrown into the March’s home, becoming family to the sisters. Mr. Laurence, Laurie’s grandfather, feels a gravitational pull to the sisters, particularly Beth. As the family's lives intertwine, new characters enter into the scene, causing heartache and even heartbreak for the girls. As time progresses, the girls endure hardships unlike any they had had in the past, but together they can get through any storm that crosses their path. The novel covers a wide plot, spanning from minor, intimate details of the March’s lives, to years of aging and growing up. Little Women is a classic story with timeless lessons for women of all ages. Personally, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars, but most certainly recommend the unabridged version. If you are a fan of the book, Little Women has been adapted into film six different times, the latest being in 2019. “Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.”
- Little Women
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