Little+Women


 * Little Women **
 * Louisa May Alcott



472 pages Fiction **


 * Author Biography **

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on November 29, 1832. She had three sisters named Anna, Elizabeth, and May. In 1856, Elizabeth died of scarlet fever The four sisters were schooled by their father, Amos Bronson Alcott. Their mother, Abigail May Alcott taught them Christianity. Louisa May Alcott grew up in Concord, Massachusetts. When she was 15 years old, Louisa May Alcott felt a larger responsibility toward her family's income. She worked various jobs such as reading to an elderly father, teaching small children, and washing laundry. Louisa May Alcott's first book //Flower Fables//, was published in 1854 when she was 22 years old. She wrote //Little Women// when she was 36 years old in 1868. Louisa May Alcott died on March 6, 1888 two days after her father died. She is buried in Concord, Massachusetts.


 * Plot Synopsis **



The March sisters are very close. Margaret (Meg), the oldest, is sixteen years old, and a sweet, caring sister. Jo is fifteen years old and very tall. She has a decided mouth, and wants to be an author. Elizabeth (Beth) is thirteen and very shy. She has a quiet voice and rarely talks with people other than her family. Amy is the youngest. She is a blue eyed blond and very full of herself. All of the sisters are different in many ways. Throughout this story you follow the March sisters' lives. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy experience danger, sorrow, relief, happiness, and love. The March sisters learn that no matter what happens in your life and no matter where you go, your family will always love you and care about you.


 * Literary Information **

//Little Women// is written in third-person omniscient. Louisa May Alcott wrote this book in third-person omniscient in order to show every character's thought and feeling. Because there are so many important characters in this book, it is necessary to know all of the thoughts of the characters. Because of the way the book was written, you learn about all four of the March sisters opinions and goals of their lives. It is interesting to compare each of their thoughts and goals in each of their lives. Third-person omniscient works very well in this story. //Little Women// is written in third-person omniscient. Louisa May Alcott wrote this book in third-person omniscient in order to show every character's thought and feeling. Because there are so many important characters in this book, it is necessary to know all of the thoughts of the characters. Because of the way the book was written, you learn about all four of the March sisters opinions and goals of their lives. It is interesting to compare each of their thoughts and goals in each of their lives. Third-person omniscient works very well in this story.


 * Literary Analysis **

The theme of //Little Women// is that family will always be there for you. The March sisters go through many difficult times and struggles. Through all of these times the March family stays with each other. With the help of some family friends, the Marches manage to get closer through the tragedies they have endured. You can always trust your family and they will always be there for you no matter what has happened.

**Criticism**

//Little Women// was a very detailed book. It was interesting to see what people's everyday life consisted of back in the 1800s. However if you are looking for a fast-paced book to read you should not read this one. //Little Women// moves quite slowly since it is about ordinary people's lives. This is an enjoyable book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys slower-paced books. Louisa May Alcott has her own style of writing which made her book interesting. I would personally give this book a 7 out of 10.


 * Movie Versions **

Over the years //Little Women// has been made into several different movies. The first movie was made in 1933 starring Katharine Hepburn as Jo. The next was made several years later in 1949. Elizabeth Taylor as Amy. The most recent version was filmed in 1994. This version starred Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, and Winona Ryder. Of course the book is always better than the movie. The characters can never be portrayed on the screen as well as on the page. I did enjoy these movies though because they were quite similar to the books.