Some readers find that in the book “Little Women” by Louisa
May Alcott, that there is a strong feminist message of independence and self-expression,
while others find it to revolve more around rules and expectations. In my
opinion, I can clearly see the presence of both
of these themes.
Starting with the “rules” side of things, In Little Women,
Mr. March is the father who is serving as a military chaplain in the Civil War.
Although he is physically absent, his presence is strongly felt throughout the
novel as he writes letters to his girls reminding them how to carry themselves
in accordance to his rules.
“I know they will remember all I said to them, that they
will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their
bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully, that when I come
back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women.”
When Mr. March comes back from war and describes the way he
views his daughter Jo, it is clear that it’s his idea and not Jo’s.
“I see a young lady [Jo] who pins her collar straight, laces
her boots neatly, and neither whistles, talks slang, nor lies on the rug as she
used to do. Her face is rather thin and pale just now, with watching and
anxiety; but I like to look at it, for it has grown gentler, and her voice is
lower; she doesn’t bounce, but moves quietly, and takes care of a certain
little person in a motherly way which delights me. I rather miss my wild girl;
but if I get a strong, helpful, tender-hearted woman in her place, I shall feel
quite satisfied.”
Alcott shows that when a girl is as energetic and determined
as Jo, she can expect loving parents who will try to get her to comply with the
rules. Most books for girls of this time period would find Jo seeing the error
of her ways and behavior and finding ways to find happiness while also meeting
family expectations. However; Alcott is trying to send a much different message
to readers than that. She depicts Jo as not rebelling against her family, but
against the role of a girl:
““It’s bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boys’
games and work and manners! I can’t get over my disappointment in not being a
boy; and it’s worse than ever now, for I’m dying to go and fight with papa and
I can only stay at home and knit, like a poky old woman!”
The March sisters reading a letter from their father in which he expresses his standards for his girls.
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