Louisa May Alcott wrote “Little Women”, which is the story of the four March girls. They are Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Their mother is Marmee, and their father is serving as a chaplain for the Union army in the Civil War. The family is happy although not well-of financially. Each of the girls has a distinct personality and, although thee are sometimes issues between them, they love one another.
Jo is the main character. She is second oldest and a tomboy. She wants to be a writer. She has a temper and is quick to speak out. She hates the limitations placed on girls. Meg, the oldest, is responsible and mothers her younger sisters. She is drawn to luxury and leisure, but is also loving of her sisters. Amy is an artist and can be vain and given to pouting. Beth is quiet and enjoys pleasing others. She plays the piano well.
They story follows the girls through their lives together. There are the usual squabbles but when required, the girls band together and help one another and others. When their mother is called to Washington to care for their sick father, the girls help keep the house together. Beth contacts scarlet fever and almost dies. Meg is pursued by the tutor of their friend Laurie, to Jo’s disgust, and they are engaged.
The book moves ahead three years. Jo has a novel published, and Meg marries the tutor, Mr. Brooke, and has twins. Jo was to go to Paris with her aunt, but Amy is chosen because the aunt prefers her more ladylike manners. Laurie begins to show affection for Jo, but she thinks Beth loves him and moves away. She meets Professor Bhaer, who helps her with her writing. When she returns, Laurie proposes but Jo turns him down. Beth dies.
At the end, Amy and Laurie reunite in France, fall in love and are married. Jo and Professor Bhare eventually marry and Jo inherits Plumfield, Aunt March’s house, and turns it into a boarding school for boys. Amy and Laurie have a baby they name Beth. The family finally gathers and each is happy for their own blessings and those of the others.
