Louisa May Alcott grew up in New England, poor, and working from an early age. She always wrote for the purpose of earning money. Like her main character, Jo, she took on pen names to do this, sometimes writing as a male. She write horror stories, some mysteries, anything that might sell at the moment. Her ultimate success came with the story of her own upbringing, which people found irresistibly honest.
“Little Women,” released in 1868, tells the story of Jo, the main character who was fashioned after Alcott herself; Meg, her older sister; and her two younger sisters Beth and Amy. It illustrates the close relationship between the four of them, as well as their mother, who raises the children by herself while her husband is serving in the war. All four sisters have very distinct personalities. Meg is proper, and polite. Beth is quiet, and shy. Amy is full of energy, and enjoys the spotlight. Jo is headstrong, a writer, and ambitious. During the course of the story, they befriend their wealthy neighbor’s son, Laurie. Personally, he’s my favorite character. He comes from money, which the March family does not. He never acts differently around them, and is as close to another member of the family as anyone could be. The relationship with his family doesn’t end with him. Eventually, Meg, the oldest sister marries Laurie’s tutor.
Through the years we follow the friendship of the girls with Laurie. The changing relationship of the sisters with each other, and we see them all grow up and mature. Laurie falls in love with Jo
