Louisa Alcott’s popular novel, Little Women, tells
the story of four young girls as they become women in the 1800s, a time when women
were highly regarded as emotional beings made for domestic work and to be reliant
upon men. By balancing between social norms and the unspoken truths of women, Alcott
was able to publish a novel that highlighted the dynamic nature of women that
was being widely ignored by society. Alcott’s tactful interweaving of feminist
themes into domestic experiences can be seen throughout the novel, especially in
accordance with Jo’s romantic life.
Properly behaved, feminine women are considered to be the
most desired wives; Jo rejects femininity and what it symbolizes: marriage. At
the foundation of romance is the expectation for women to act feminine, as seen
in the Gardiners’ party. Leading up to the party, while the girls get ready for
the party, Meg continuously shames Jo for her boyish ways and says that she
will be deeply embarrassed by Jo acting improperly. Jo promises to act like a
woman to appease Meg even though it is clearly a negative experience for Jo. Alcott
writes, “Meg’s high-heeled slippers were dreadfully tight, and hurt her, though
she would not own it, and Jo’s nineteen hair-pins all seemed stuck straight into
her head, which was not exactly comfortable; but, dear me, let us be elegant or
die” (Alcott 29). The women are willing to be uncomfortable and experience pain
in order to be considered elegant. Jo’s decision to dress up elegantly revolves
around making Meg happy – not a man. Even while Jo is forced into the social
expectations of a woman, Alcott highlights her motivations do not align with the
stereotypical motivation to appeal to mean or to find a husband. In this case,
Meg’s desires align with the expected desires while Jo’s desires align with the
feminist themes that Alcott was introducing in the novel.
The pressure of societal expectations of women continues
throughout the novel and Jo’s life, especially when it comes to the topic of
marriage. Laurie is the neighbor boy who befriends the four sisters at a young
age and remains as a part of the family for years, but always gravitated
towards Jo out of the four sisters. It becomes apparent quickly that Laurie
seems to be the logical choice as a husband for Jo; it is no surprise when Laurie
confesses his love for Jo and asks for her hand in marriage. Jo replies saying,
“I never wanted to make you care for me so, and I went away to keep you from It
if I could” (Alcott 284). This rejection of Laurie is the epitome of Alcott’s
attempts to highlight the depth of women in the 1800s. Jo is not merely a girl
with a desire to be married, rather she is a strong woman who has already made money
as an author with a deep desire to become even more successful. Furthermore,
even when Alcott was forced to marry off Jo in the novel due to the context of
the time period, she does so defiantly. Jo marries Mr. Bhaer, a middle-aged man
who is not handsome and has poor manners. Although Mr. Bhaer has
characteristics that are attractive to Jo, such as his intelligence, Alcott
uses this character to defy the expectations of marriage. Rather than marry Jo
off to the expected Laurie, Jo marries a man that does not fit any of the expectations
of a husband at that time. Moreover, Jo and Mr. Bhaer go on to have a successful,
happy future, showing that women who do not fit the stereotypical mold of women
still have happy endings.
Rejecting societal norms is definitely one of the key themes throughout this novel, and I really like the way this post explained how Jo is set up to push back against society’s expectations. It is obvious throughout the novel that Jo is the key symbol of feminism, which contradicted a lot of norms when this book was written. I think the post highlights these defiant traits Jo possesses very well, however, I also believe that Jo is not the only sister that goes against societies standards. In the beginning of the book Meg is portrayed as a girl who desires wealth and high societal status, two things that “everyone should want”. However, by the end of the first section, Meg happily marries Mr. Brooke, a man with little money and status. Meg does this against Aunt March’s will, which symbolizes her finally going against what society has always told her is important. Meg decided to think for herself and understood that happiness and love are more important than wealth and status. While Meg does still desire finer things later in the novel, giving into society once more, I believe that her marriage to Mr. Brooke is still a strong message in the book about rejecting societal norms.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the story of the four “little women” has strong undertones of independence, feminism, and self-improvement, I believe that the foundation of the girls’ attitudes came from their beloved “Marmee”. Experiences that define the individuality of each sister also connects them deeper to their motherly example.
ReplyDeleteIn class, we talked about how anybody as pure and good as Beth was destined to die in this time period. This is fitting for the motherly storyline of the book. Beth has “never made any plans… never thought of being married” like her other sisters (Alcott 382). Her death may symbolize the end of a life that was not intended to grow into the matronly role of the other examples.
Despite not being the typical feminine ideal in society, Jo also lives to reflect her mother. She learns to manage their shared quality of anger early in the story as a first of many attempts to grow as an individual. Jo is not a distant, boyish girl, but instead learns to care for others, first by the bedside of her sweet Beth, and later with “a happy, homelike place for boys, who needed teaching, care, and kindness” (Alcott 493).
The last two women, who always sought to fulfill the expectations of society, also make decisions that reflect their mother’s wishes. Both Amy and Meg dream of marrying for wealth rather than love. To this Marmee responds saying that the converse is what will bring them true joy. Therefore, they turn down wealthier prospects to marry men whom they love.
Though the story uses the lives of the four young women to contradict the expectations of society, their submission to their mother is apparent. It may not have been in the way society of the time portrays is correct, but each of the surviving girls grows up to embody a caring motherly figure that seeks to please their own mother as well as the boys in their lives.