The novel Little Women explores defying stereotypes and familial bonds. The characters are truly what makes the book entertaining as each of their personalities interact with each other. More specifically, the character Meg exhibits a dynamic storyline that has a realistic side. The audience watches as Meg grows from a materialistic girl to a woman who marries a poor man simply because she loves him. Although she is shown to be a shallow character, her character development makes us love her.
Meg March is the oldest and most mature of the group. She dreams of having a lavish and luxurious life: she was the only one who remembers that the family used to be wealthy. Because of these aspirations to have that kind of life, Meg gets dressed up with fancy clothes and even drinks alcohol at a party. Meg realizes how shallow that life is and that appearances can be deceiving. Later on, she marries John, a poor man who represents her changing thought process. Mrs. March says it best when she says, “Better be happy old maids than unhappy wives, or unmaidenly girls, running about to find husbands," said Mrs. March decidedly. "Don't be troubled, Meg, poverty seldom daunts a sincere lover.” (Alcott 145) Her entire plotline revolves around this ideal that wanting to be rich and affluent instead of wanting to be happy can lead to miserable life.
Even though Meg grows up to be that “typical” 19th century housewife, she shows personal growth when she marries for love rather than marrying to gain a comfortable lifestyle. Meg goes against this stereotype that women at that time were required to marry to gain a higher social status. Meg’s outburst to Aunt March attempting to defend John supports this idea, “My John wouldn't marry for money, any more than I would. We are willing to work and we mean to wait. I'm not afraid of being poor, for I've been happy so far, and I know I shall be with him because he loves me…” (Alcott 217) Evidently, this practical tale shows the maturation of this character and leaves behind an excellent message.
I think that Alcott really emphasizes Meg’s personal growth through the way she gains independence throughout the novel. At the beginning of the novel, Meg’s idea of independence is tied to the value she places on material wealth. As Meg grows throughout the novel, the reader can see how her values shift away from material objects toward taking care of her husband and building a family. While describing the Dovecoat house and all the work that was put into it, Meg finds that “the homeliest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them” (140). Although the things in her new home are not worth great amounts of money, she recognizes that “home love and tender forethought” (140) are more important. Meg learns to put more value in things that have sentimental value than monetary value. I agree that this acceptance of her status goes against the stereotype that women should try to marry men who are richer than they are in order to improve their lives. And even though Meg isn’t independent in the way that we view independence today, she does become independent from the value that she places on wealth. This is the type of independence Alcott values.
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