Meg - is the beauty of the family and she wished to rid herself of her vanity and become accustomed to work in order to provide a wholesome family home. Indeed she was obsessed with the maintenance of her hands, white and unblemished - a sign of wealth and sophistication, but sacrifices this for the good of the family. Mr March states "I remember a time when this hand was white and smooth...but is is prettier to me now- in these blemishes i read a little history". She experiences romantic love at the hands of Mr. Brooke and her story showcases the obstacles that marriage and motherhood offers. Her children Daisy & Demi personify the result of a loving and compassionate life and thus are particurlarly significant in showing the value of love as opposed to wealth.
Main Love = Romantic & Motherly
Jo- "I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy", is the most masculine sister with a love of literature whom seeks a life away from love and into one whereby she can support her family, taking a particularly defensive role over the more timid Beth. Indeed in pursuit of this desire to wholly support the family she shaves off her hair and writes stories that undermine her natural ability and morals. So afraid of change she vows to stay by her mother and even declares she would prefer to remain a spinster. Her only flaw is a violent temper which she attempts to defy throughout. After the death of Beth however she becomes lonely and falls for Professor Bhear, an intellectual man who although not rich nor attractive provides Jo with the life she now desires, as mother. Her obvious comfort with the male sex leads to the creation of a school for young men- where she utilies her maternial instinct, formed by the bond with Lurie, to aid others in their journey to be educated and well mannered men.
Main Love = Familial, Romantic & Selfless
Beth- The shy and timid Beth delights in music and the comfort of her family, rarely venturing out or communicating with others. Her mother states that she can see no flaw in Beth whom is loyal, passive and says not a bad word of anyone. Indeed this natural kindness leads to Beth's downfall as after aiding the impoverished Hummel family she falls ill with Scarlet Fever and never recovers - growing more pale and transparent by the day until eventually her already weak body departs.
Main Love = Familial
Amy- The most ambitious of the sisters she, and also Meg, is the most aware of her family's poverty and wishes to better herself because of it in order to gain a life of wealth and culture. The most graceful and articulate she has a way of charming others and as she grows she moves away from her old childish snobbery and patronage into a lady that can hold her own in different social classes. Her journey to France adds the polish to her femininity and draws Lurie out from his heartache over Jo. Seeing that the two are far more suited and less attached in familial love they marry, ensuring Amy fulfills her desire of wealth- however not at the cost of true love. Motherhood also changes Amy's character as her daughter Beth follows in her aunts footsteps - frail and weak, the fear of losing her making Amy more tender and selfless.
Main Love = Familial, Motherly, Romantic, Jealousy
OTHER SHOWS OF LOVE:
Unrequited - While the sisters are the main focus one cannot ignore the character of Lurie and his importance within the novel. Indeed he acts as the brother of the family and is present within all of the main events in the novel. As the masculine sister, Jo immediately forms a deep connection with Lurie - their similarities proving the cement. However, over time Lurie wishes to progress the relationship further and is shot down by stubborn and determined Jo who remains to see him as only a brother. This is the first instance of UNREQUITED LOVE.
Conclusion: Little Women is therefore a great example of Victorian literature as it showcases the typical features; social and personal identity. Indeed the entire book is about the struggles the girls show in their personal growth and also the impact the contrast between upper class society and poverty had on such growth. By showing each character's experiences seperately as well as intertwined we get a great deal of depth in each character's psychology. Alcott provides an omniscient narrator whom seems aware of each character's thoughts and feelings. In some cases she also directly speaks to the reader, suggesting the book could be interpreted as an oral story or a lesson in morality and the importance of love over wealth.
Quotations:
" I’ll try and be what he loves to call me, “a little woman,” and not be rough and wild; but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else."
- Jo shows what the stereotypical role of women was in these times, a basically domestic position. She also portrays an element of selfless love as she wishes to please her father by going against her ambitions of adventure, hiding her personal struggles for the benefit of her family.
"Mercy me! I don't know anything about love and such nonsense!" cried Jo, with a funny mixture of interest and contempt. "In novels, the girls show it by starting and blushing, fainting away, growing thin, and acting like fools."
- Jo describes how uncertain she is about love whilst also highlighting the typically presented nature of falling in love i.e. blushing and giggling.
"He was perfectly open and honorable about Meg, for he told us he loved her, but would earn a comfortable home before he asked her to marry him. He only wanted our leave to love her and work for her, and the right to make her love him if he could"
- Referring to Mr Brooke, shows how marriage was based on financial security and that it was the man's job to provide and persuade his lover into marriage. The term honourable is synonymous with the nobility found in courtly love.
"My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world - marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. Money is a needful and precious thing - and, when well used, a noble thing - but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor man's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, then queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."
-Marmee tries to instruct her girls to rebel against the typical "wise" marriage whereby financial security surpasses love. She is an example of how one can be happy as well as poor as long as love is abundant.
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