Little Women

Little Women

Little Women

The upcoming Christmas looked like it would be a sad time to the four March girls. With their father at the Civil War battlefront, and their saintly mother, Marmee, as they called her, working to support her family, the holiday would not be the traditional pleasures they were used to. With the dollar Marmee said they might spend, the girls each settled on buying simple gifts for their mother and for the Hummel family down the road; and receiving, in return, surprise treats of ice cream and cake, fruit and four bouquets of fresh flowers from rich old Mr. Lawrence next door.

The girls resolved to face life as Pilgrims, to overcome their weaknesses, and be “good little women” by the time their father returned. The oldest, Meg, determined to enjoy her work more and worry less about her looks. The tomboy, Jo, pledged to better control her temper, upgrade her writing abilities and develop ladylike qualities. Amy desired to be less selfish and less vain concerning her beautiful golden hair. Everyone believed Beth, the home-body, to be perfect, but she prayed to overcome her fear of people. The girls worked for the next year to acquire these qualities, with much success and occasional failure.

At year’s end, Meg attended a fashionable New Year’s dance. She talked Jo into going with her, but Jo didn’t care much for “girls or girlish gossip,” and felt as much out of place as a “colt in a flower garden.” Running from a boy that wanted to dance with her, Jo hid behind a curtain. But she wasn’t the only bashful one. To her surprise, there she met little Theodore Lawrence, or “Laurie,” as everyone called him, the new next-door neighbor boy. Awkwardly, they introduced themselves, but as they peeped through the curtain together, gossiping and chatting, they soon felt like they knew each other forever. A lifelong friendship was formed. Laurie had been a orphan since he was a baby and now lived with his Grandfather Lawrence in his great mansion. In the March family, Laurie found a circle of sisters and a mother he never knew; and they found in him a brother and a son.

Through that year, the girls learned to be happy in their work. Meg, by spending two weeks at the estate of a wealthy girl friend, discovered how wonderful her own home life was, even if her family was poor. Jo detected that she was not the only one struggling with anger issues. Much to her surprise, her mother also had a hidden temper. This knowledge helped Jo believe she could, with effort, control hers. After all, her great wish was to become a famous romance writer and reaching that goal would require discipline. Jo’s romantic novels were soon published. Amy continued to grow more beautiful, but also came to understand the need for humility. After being embarrassed before the whole school, she began to understand that “conceit spoils the finest genius.” And Beth remained shy, but was still the heart and joy of her family. Everyone, especially Jo, came to Beth for comfort.

One winter day, a telegram came from the war department: Mr. March was very ill. Heartsick by this news, Marmee felt she needed to be with her husband. With no money to spare, Jo offered to sell her long, beautiful hair. The sacrifice, though tearfully made, brought twenty-five dollars, and financed the trip. Mr. Lawrence sent along John Brooke, Laurie’s tutor, to assist Mrs. March on her trip. Both Mr. And Mrs. March grew very fond of John and he, in turn, became very fond of Meg.

Back at home, dark days were to visit the little women. Trying to be like her mother, Beth continued to care for the large, poor Hummel family. One night she returned home depressed and crying. She has just held the Hummel baby in her arms as he died of Scarlet Fever. Beth also contracted the fever, becoming very sick.