by Ann Johnstone

Created on: August 02, 2011   Last Updated: August 03, 2011

‘Little Women’ and its sequels are stories from another era: A time when life was simple, good morals and ethical behavior were respected, and young people were not called ‘teenagers’.  The four girls depicted in this novel are Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Their personalities are entirely different. Meg, the oldest, although still a minor, is weighed down with the responsibility of caring for her three younger siblings while their mother tends to the sick and needy and their father is away, contributing to the American Civil War effort through his work as army chaplain. 

Jo, the second oldest, is a tomboyish young woman who loves reading and writing books in the attic. She is far from ladylike and cares little for the opinions of others. Often feeling a bit of a loner, Jo wishes ardently that she had a brother with whom she could do ‘boyish things’. She soon finds a kindred spirit in her neighbor Laurie.

As the second youngest, Beth is quiet, shy and gentle, the family peacemaker. She is happy to play the piano and remain at home, helping her mother with the housework and caring for others. Of the four, Beth is painted in more pastel colors. She has no strong ambitions, never grumbles or complains, and is contented with her lot.

The youngest of the four, Amy is only twelve when the story begins. Aware of her good looks, she takes pleasure in showing off and acting the part of the perfect lady. She is passionate about art, loves luxuries, and is adept at getting whatever she wants. As the youngest of the four girls, Amy is inclined to be spoiled and known to have temper tantrums when she does not get what she wants.

Beth, always compassionate, feels particularly drawn to the impoverished Hummel family who live nearby and have contracted scarlet fever. While nursing the Hummel baby through this life-threatening disease, Beth herself becomes ill and it is thought that she will die. She does have a long convalescence, but never regains her health. In the sequel to the original ‘Little Women’ Beth does, in fact, die. This has a profound effect on Jo, revealing her own tender nature that previously lay dormant.

Beth's one passion is music. She loves to play the piano and sing, and the only material thing she longs for is a better quality piano to replace the family’s old, tuneless one. The March family has a wealthy neighbor, Mr. Laurence, who lives with his son Laurie in a many-roomed mansion. It is he who

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