Critiquing the Classics: Little Women

Author’s Note: Unlike our previous reviews, we decided to combine the summary and review portion for Little Women. There is simply less for us to critique in this novel, especially because so much of its value comes from its characters and the way Alcott approaches their lives. Instead, we wanted to focus more on why a novel written more than 150 years ago can still feel so personal. In many ways, the March sisters’ experiences with growing up, forming their identities, and figuring out what they want from their lives still ring true for many girls in our generation.

Important Characters:

Meg March: The oldest of the sisters, known for her patience and responsibility. She feels fulfilled by the standard domestic life, and cares deeply for her family.

Jo March: The second oldest sister and a fiercely independent character. She often prioritizes her passion for writing and resists the gender stereotypes of the time period to chase her dreams.

Beth March: The third oldest sister, whose gentle presence and love for music—specifically the piano—is a source of inspiration and comfort for her siblings.

Amy March: The youngest of the March sisters and a visual artist. Amy is outgoing with a big personality, but can be jealous at times.

Theodore “Laurie” Laurence: The neighbor, friend, and eventually love interest of the March sisters.

Summary & Review: Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women follows the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they grow up during the Civil War era while their father is away serving as a chaplain. Despite their shared upbringing, the sisters could hardly be more different. Meg gravitates towards marriage and domestic life; Jo is an aspiring writer, resisting gender-based expectations whenever she can; Beth finds happiness in her family and her music; and Amy is ambitious and concerned with both her art and her future. Their neighbor, Laurie, becomes a close personal friend to the family and remains involved in their lives as they grow up.

The novel is less concerned with a single overarching plot than with the gradual changes in the whole family’s lives. We see them as children, teenagers, and eventually young women making decisions about love, work, family, and their own independence. Alcott gives considerable attention to arguments between the sisters, their individual ambitions, and the ways their relationships change over time. The result is a moving, avant-garde narrative that allows for relatability for a wide audience.

The complexity of the novel is what makes it feel so ahead of its time. It’s rare in this era of writing that we get to see layered female characters with lives and desires of their own. On top of this, Alcott does not suggest that there is one definition of success for these characters, nor does she suggest that becoming a woman means leaving behind yourself as a girl. Each sister has to determine what matters to her, and even when we may not agree with their choices, we understand where they’re coming from because of Alcott’s intricate character setup. There is something rather comforting about seeing characters that do not define growing up as having everything figured out.

That is ultimately what makes Little Women so difficult to critique. There are aspects of the novel that feel dated, but at its heart, it does not. The March sisters worry about their futures, compare themselves to one another, struggle with societal expectations, fall in and out of love, and navigate their lives as young women growing up. The story does not feel confined to the 19th century, and it’s easy to find pieces of ourselves in all four of the sisters.

Little Women leaves us with the feeling that there is no single way to grow up and no single way to be a woman.