Little Women was written by Louise May Alcott and published in 1868. The novel is inspired by Alcott’s own life, delving into deeper themes such as capturing the shift and difficulties of developing into womanhood. The book also incorporates a character that challenges social norms along with growth traced from each of the characters.
The book zooms into a small Massachusetts building remaining in poverty; home to the four March sisters; Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Meg, the eldest, guides her sister while following her mother’s footsteps. Jo, the second oldest, is deeply invested in pursuing her writing career. Beth is a shy, gentle girl who finds passion in playing the piano, while Amy, the youngest, is materialistic and eager to grow into a woman.
The March sisters learn valuable lessons and grow beautifully into womanhood. Each sister’s individual experiences ultimately strengthen their family bond. By highlighting the character’s distinct values and journeys, the story becomes personal. As I read, I felt involved in their lives, which only emphasized how lovely and relatable these characters are.
One of my favorite lessons from the book is the idea of finding abundance in the fundamentals of life. Poverty, while a significant obstacle, doesn’t remove joy from the March sisters. They would describe how “rich” they feel from the small pleasures of life. Their vibrant gratitude resonated with me, and I loved that this book helped me embrace a similar perspective.
With every sister given a spotlight, Jo is easily my favorite character. I admire her strong qualities of determination, creativity, and intelligence. She challenges traditional gender norms and is true to her authentic self. Jo is passionate about writing and finds an outlet to showcase her work.
What I love most about Little Women is how grounding it is. It brought me to simplicity and reminded me of how basic virtues may seem obvious but all serve a greater purpose. This book also distracted me from this day-in-age’s complexity. Modern-day life can feel complicated, which is why I loved reading this book. This novel brought up issues that may seem mundane to the modern world but to the March sisters, it was a struggle. I was brought back to reconstructing my own issues down to the bigger picture of plainness.
This book is perfect for those who need a wind-down but still want an escape from their own reality. It is a lighthearted story that emphasizes family, personal growth, and the beauty of womanhood. I highly recommend Little Women to anyone seeking a reminder of what simple joys are.
