Symbolism in Little Women

Within the novel Little Women there are certain symbolic characteristics that are very important for character development. For example one of them being the umbrella. I believe that in this novel this represents the protection offered by a man to a woman. Jo gets angry at John Brooke’s umbrella before Meg and John get married. It seems as though Jo was irritated at Mr. Brooke for offering his care and protection towards her sister. “ ‘I don't approve of the match, but I've made up my mind to bear it, and shall not say a word against it,’ said Jo solemnly. ‘You can't know how hard it is for me to give up Meg.’ “ (Alcott 273). Jo eventually learns to bear the thought of losing for sister if it made Meg happy to marry so young. At the end of the novel Professor Bhaer extends his umbrella over Jo. It is Jo’s acceptance of his umbrella that I believe is her acceptance of the idea that men are allowed to offer their love and security, and she is allowed to take it.

These symbols are ones that revolve around Jo, the character that certainly develops the most. A more important symbol is burning, and Little Women is complete with many images of it. Burning in this novel portrays genius, writing, and anger. At the New Year’s party, Jo insists on wearing her dress that she burned the back of creating a large, ugly singe mark. This shows Jo’s reluctance to playing a traditional female role. In anger of not being included, Jo’s sister Amy throws her manuscript for her first novel into the fire. “Does genius burn, Jo?” (312). Is another representation of the symbol, as her family insists on making this joke of Jo’s creativity whenever she is furiously writing. But the best application of this symbol is at the end of the novel when Jo burns her sensationalist stories, after Professor Bhaer criticizes that particular style of writing. She convinces herself that they're not her best work and throws them in the fire. “They are trash, and I will soon be worse than trash if I go on, for each is more sensational than the last...and what should I do if they were at home or if Mr. Bhaer got a hold of them.” (420). It is at that point of the story where that fire seemed to destroy Jo’s earlier self. It marks the end of the fiery, vivacious girl we were introduced to in the beginning of Little Women, and the start of a more loving, warm and refined woman.

Jo March: Feminist Icon

Jo March being the protagonist of Little Women- a young adult novel- she has certain characteristics to uphold. When we first meet Jo March, she's hot-tempered, blunt and very opinionated. Jo also loves literature, both reading and writing it. It is in Jo’s written works where we can draw parallels to Alcott. Like Alcott, Jo begins her publishing career by writing thrilling stories such as horror and historical thrillers. And also like Alcott, Jo is most successful as a writer when she produces sentimental works about everyday domestic life. I believe Alcott’s intention was to create a character that can be looked up to. Jo March is an independent woman, and the character that most resembles Alcott herself.

It is through her writing that Jo wishes her successes lie. She hates the idea of marriage, even for her own sister. “I just wish I could marry Meg myself, and keep her safe in the family.” (Alcott 237). Jo views herself as the sensible one, the one who doesn't need love and attention. "Oh dear, we are growing up with a vengeance. Here's Meg married and a mamma, Amy flourishing away at Paris, and Beth in love. I'm the only one that has sense enough to keep out of mischief " (381). However Jo does indeed find romance, and her desire to make her way in the world makes room for love. As Jo discovers her feminine side, she also figures out how to balance her determined personality with the constraints placed on nineteenth-century women. The question is: how much do these limitations reflect the contemporary situation of twenty-first century women readers?

Throughout the novel Jo is an independent free women. Never could be tamed or restricted to the household. She is a role model, and by marrying and essentially conforming to society doesn't make her less of one. In my eyes she is still feminist icon despite following the expectations of women in that century. Isn’t it romantic novels that succeed, rather than novels on feminism? Novels like Pride and Prejudice, and dare I say it, Twilight? Although expectations on twenty-first century women have changed immensely when it come to relationships, we all have those romantic qualities; qualities that Jo March develops as well. It are these traits that are evident by old-fashioned means, as well as contemporary ones.

Women in the Nineteenth Century

As I already referenced feminism in my last post, I only merely touched on the subject. As Little Women takes place in the late nineteenth century when the duties of women were strictly to develop the traits that make a good, well-behaved wife, it is most fitting that this post would have to compare women’s place in the nineteenth century and women’s place in Little Women.

While researching my novel I came across reoccurring controversy over whether or not Little Women is a feminist novel. Certainly one could read this novel and see that it enforces separation of gender roles, that Jo was a tomboy in her youth but that she gradually grows into the motherly role at the end, forced to tame her wild behaviour. Mr. March praises Meg for her housewifely skills and Amy learns not to be selfish or vain. Beth, who is called the “true angel of the house” who had no other desire than to stay at home and do the housework. In the late 1800’s women’s opportunities were mostly confined to the household, where keeping a nice home and bringing honour to the husband is of utmost priority. “My husband should always feel free to bring a friend home whenever he likes. I shall always be prepared; there shall be no flurry, no scolding, no discomfort, but a neat house, cheerful wife, and a good dinner.”(324) This dialogue from Meg March reinforces the qualities in in her character where pleasing her husband is most important.

In the nineteenth century men were the dominant figures in the “public” life and women were in the background “private” life of the home. What I believed Alcott did was almost eliminate the outside world aspect of the March girls and concentrate on the home lives of the women. Within this, Alcott creates the male characters more of a plot function then character use. For example, Mr. Brooke is there to assist Meg in dealing with her materialism. Mr. Laurence help Beth with her timidness. Laurie is the exception to this as he is a fully developed male character. However, that makes sense, as I view Laurie somewhat as a March girl himself. He even has a girls name.

Alcott also generates the notion that women are somehow just naturally better than men, naturally more moral, sweeter and kinder. Which I can only assume was progressive thinking. It is this thinking that is evident in the end. When all the girls are married off and have families of their own (except Beth, being dead and all), they return and Marmee reminds them that their bond, their sisterly bond, is was what’s most important in life. More important than pleasing a husband ever would be. While Little Women does have this endorsement of separate gender role ideology, it can also be perceived as valuing women’s relationships and experiences in a way that, in history, they weren’t valued or appreciated.

Little Women: Feminism and Family

There is not only one theme in Little Women; what they are become very evident throughout the novel. All actions from the characters, whether obvious or subtle, revolve around the importance of family and femininity, sometimes both. Actually, all the time both. Personally, the relationships between the March girls and their development from naive girls to strong women are clearly the centre of the story. Louisa May Alcott’s emphasis on balancing family and domestic duties often can overpower different aspects of a story, such as the personal development of the characters. While Alcott’s views on femininity and relationships are exceedingly outdated to the present day, she was very ahead of her time when Little Women was written. Alcott clearly establishes the purpose of a family not only as a practical, sensible one, but a very meaningful one as well. All four March girls are deeply intent on the selfless support of one another. From trivial matters such as helping Amy sell her art at the local fair, to holding Beth’s hand in the face of death, the sisters are there to comfort, where “everything can be forgiven and forgotten with one sisterly kiss.” (Alcott 97)

As Alcott based Little Women on her own family and experiences, she writes the portrayal of the importance of a strong household in a very realistic manner. The March sisters’ mother (Marmee) is a very contemporary character and seems to have all the solutions to the girls’ trifles. I believe it is in Marmee’s character where Alcott places her liberal, ethical views on society, especially in gender roles. Nearly all of Marmee’s advice relates to the independence of women. She conveys this in a very motherly tone but with a hint of disdain towards the gender roles present at that time. It is in Marmee’s dialogue where I am truly cognizant of Alcott’s attempts to depict to the reader her views on feminism. “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 men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace.” (Alcott 115).

At Alcott’s time her views would seem radical, whereas today they are noticeably old-fashioned. If someone in modern day society were to say that “to be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman” (Alcott 116) might not be as appropriate, only because women now would find it objectifying to be “chosen” by a man. Alcott however does pose important principles to live by. One, to never constrain yourself to standards regarding gender. The other, that encouragement for and from others is greatly reassuring.

Welcome Post

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott was my choice of classic novel. The novel was written so simply, yet the complexity of the characters will certainly challenge me. I believe one of the purposes of this blog is to encourage independent study and also the peer-evaluating aspect as well. Criticism or not, peer input always has a huge influence on any sort of my written work. Receiving ideas and comments from different peers, will essentially further my skills in personal writing.

Although that is a bonus to this blog, my main purpose is to -within the next few weeks- better my understanding of the complexity of each character. It intrigues me that Louisa M. Alcott based each of these characters on her and her siblings. To have the chance study Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, I may get a glimpse of Alcott's actual life over a century ago.

I also will hope to answer the important, pressing question: Should Little Women be considered a classic novel even though it was written for young adults?

I'm excited to finish my novel and get my study under way! On the right are some related links about my novel, the author, the sequels to Little Women, and much more.