by Alysa Dudley

Created on: September 24, 2010   Last Updated: September 25, 2010

Little Women was written by Louisa May Alcott in the 1860s and is set in Concord, Massachusetts during and after the Civil War.  Loosely based on Alcott’s own family, the story is about the lives of four girls, their family and friends.

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents” is the first line of the novel.  The reactions of the four girls to this sentiment provides an immediate insight into each of these four characters.

Meg (Margaret) March  is the oldest sister.  She is a very practical young lady who is working as a governess.  Her job is difficult, but she accepts it as her responsibility.  By the end of the book she is married to the respectable tutor, John Brooks.

Jo (Josephine) March is based on Alcott herself.  Jo is the consummate tomboy, assertive,  active, often getting into “scrapes.”  She is very frustrated that she has to work for boring old Aunt March.  Her ambition is to become a great writer and support her family. Althoug not afraid to speak her mind, she has a very kind and generous heart.

Amy March is the sister who is most unhappy with her lot in life.  She is jealous of the other girls in school who have more money and more possessions than her.  Her efforts to compete with her peers sometimes get her in trouble.  She grows and matures as the story progresses.

Beth (Elizabeth) March, the youngest sister, is shy, quiet, and frail.  She is content to stay home and play the piano.  Everyone loves the sweet little girl.

The matriarch of this family is called “Marmee.”  While her husband is away at war, she is the head of the household.  She works hard to help her daughters develop good morals, setting the example by her good works.  She has a strong, steadying presence.

The father of the family is working as a chaplain in the war.  We hear from him through his letters until he comes home.

Next door to the March household is the Laurence mansion.  James Laurence is a wealthy man who is raising his grandson.  Mr. Laurence has a gruff exterior, but at heart he is a kind and considerate gentleman.  For example, after he hears that the March girls gave their Christmas dinner to a poor family, he has a feast delivered to the March family.

Laurie (Theodore) Laurence is James Laurence’s grandson.  Rather bored with his life, he befriends Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy and enjoys participating in their activities.  His role as honorary brother changes as they all get older.

John Brooke is Laurie’s tutor.  He is always available when the March’s need assistance.  Over time he falls in love with Meg, and they eventually marry and have children.

Other characters in the book include Hannah, the family’s maid; Aunt Josephine, a rich widow and Mr. March’s aunt; and Professor Friedrick “Fritz” Bhaer, a German immigrant who meets Jo in New York and helps Jo with her writing.  

The variety of characters in this book represent all types of people.  From the first page of the book, readers are presented with the rich personalities of each one.

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