In Little Women, what stood out most to me
was Alcott’s commentary on marriage and the different ways it can be viewed in
society. Alcott’s brutally honest depictions of Jo’s refusal to the idea as
well as Meg’s admiration of it provide different perspectives on the way the
modern woman views marriage. To me, Alcott’s clear voice on the matter was well
before it’s time and applies more to the average woman’s view of marriage
today.
Jo’s strong will against marriage is perhaps the most
notable depiction in the book. Jo very clearly states to her family and Laurie
that she has no desire to give her hand in marriage. However, the reader is
still led to believe throughout the beginning of the novel that there is a
chance her and her seemingly perfect partner, Laurie, will end up together.
This comes to a clear end when Jo blatantly rejects Laurie’s confession of
love. Jo states, “I can’t say ‘yes truly’, so I won’t say it at all” when
Laurie is begging for her hand in marriage. She has her focus set on her
writing career, and knows she won’t be fully happy if she settles for a
domestic life. While this pursuit of a lifestyle based on one’s career is
becoming more common for the average woman in today’s time, the bravery it
would’ve taken a woman like Jo to reject a man like Laurie in pursuit of her
independence would have been virtually unheard of. The bravery it took for Jo
to continue pursuing what was best for her despite what society told her was
necessary demonstrates a strong view that women ultimately don’t need a husband
to be happy or fulfilled.
In contrast, it was clear from the beginning of the novel
that Meg is in a way obsessed with the idea of marriage. The ultimate goal she
seems to have set for herself is to find a wealthy husband and raise a family
surrounded by “the finer things”. Meg marries John, and she initially resents
him for his inability to provide her with the wealth and prosperity she dreamt
of all of her life. She still feels inadequate in comparison to the wealthier
women around her, and realizes she will never have what they have. While Meg
and John eventually communicate and solve their issues, it is clear that Meg
married him for this ideal she had of living the life of a perfect wife and
mother. Being those things was Meg’s sole ambition for her life. This idea
contrasts greatly with Jo’s refusal to fit the mold of a domestic family woman.
Through Alcott’s portrayal of Jo, Meg, and the other
sisters as well, she is able to paint a very real picture of what marriage
looks like for women of different values and pursuits in their lives. Alcott
does not suggest which ideal is better than the other, but through the
diversity of her characters shows the complexity of the role of wife and mother
that women are often expected to play.
Haley,
ReplyDeleteI agree that in writing Little Women, Alcott comments on marriage and how it is received by the different characters and by people of that time. At the time the novel was written, marriage is what young girls were supposed to aspire to, and despite Jo's rebellion to the concept of marriage, Marmee still wishes that all her girls will be loved by a man one day, as she tells Meg and Jo that "to be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman" (Alcott, 57). I think it also important to note Amy's pursuit of marriage, which offers an additional perspective on marriage within the novel. Initially, Amy desires to marry rich, and was planning on giving her hand in marriage to Fred Vaughn, and tells Laurie that "He [Fred] is rich, a gentleman, and has delightful manners" (Alcott 232). However, we know that at the end, Amy ends up marrying Laurie but not for his money, because she does genuinely love him. I think it is worth noting Amy's approach to marriage, in addition to your comments on Meg marrying because she desires to be a wife and mother and Jo's submission into marriage. I believe all of the girls views towards marriage shifts throughout the course of the novel.