Alcott, Louisa May - Little Women (2)

Little Women

The sisters

The main protagonists of this book are the March sisters: Margaret (Meg) is the oldest sister, the most mature and kind (especially with Amy), but sometimes she can be careless. Josephine (Jo) is considered the main protagonist of the whole Little Women series; she's very boyish and has a strong personality. Elizabeth (Beth) is 13 years old; she's sweet and kind and has a true passion for music and playing the piano. Amy is the youngest sister; she's elegant and always tries to act like a young lady, and she's the artist of the family.

The plot

First of all, this book has 2 original titles. The most used is Little Women, but it can also be called Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, who are the main characters of the story. The first chapter starts with the four March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy) sitting in the living room, discussing their situation of poverty. Next, they talk about their father, Mr March, who joined the war. It’s Christmas Eve and the girls decide to make their Christmas amazing by buying each one a small present, but in the end they decide to make a nice gesture and buy a gift for their mom, Marmee.

Suddenly, the mother returns home and brings a letter from their father. The March sisters are very happy with the letter and complain less about their poverty status. On Christmas Day, the sisters receive books as a present; then the mother convinces them to bring their breakfast to the Hummels family, which is very poor. As soon as Mr. Laurence notices their kindness, he decides to invite them to a banquet. The older sisters (Meg and Jo) are also invited to a dance party held at the home of a rich friend of Meg, Sally Gardiner. Here Jo meets the young Laurie. While dancing, Meg twists her ankle and, at the end, Laurie offers to take the two girls home.

During the following days, the sisters go to visit Mr. Laurence, who really loves the little ladies and decides to gift his old nephew's piano to Beth. Laurie and Jo become best friends. With his help and the family club the Marches founded, Jo finally succeeds in publishing her first narration. As soon as the family receives the news about Mr. March being hurt in a Washington Hospital, Mrs. March decides to go visit him and, to do so, Jo cuts and sells a big part of her hair in order to pay her mother's travel. The sisters are now alone; Beth gets sick after helping the Hummels, Amy, so as not to get sick, goes to Aunt March's mansion for a while, and Jo goes to New York after publishing another story.

There is a time skip till 3 years later

After Jo returns from New York, Laurie confesses his feelings to her, but Jo rejects him. Meg marries Mr. Brooke (Laurie's tutor) and has two children. Eventually, Beth dies, Amy decides to marry Laurie and will have a daughter that they will name Beth. In conclusion, Jo will marry the German professor Bhaer, whom she met in New York, inheriting Aunt March's house, which will be transformed into a Seminary. The March family is now reunited and finally happy.