Little Women Character Analysis

The bildungsroman, Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott portrays a group of sisters growing up together in Concord, Massachusetts in the mid nineteenth century. Throughout the novel the reader watches as each of the March sisters grow in their own ways. Meg and Amy both transform from people who care so strongly about how others view them into people more concerned with themselves and their personalities, than what others think of them.

Amy, the youngest of the four sisters, only partially realizes this towards the beginning of the novel and does not truly finish this realization until the very end of the novel when she and Laurie become married. In chapter seven, Amy brings a bag of limes to school because many of her classmates make

fun of her for not having as much money as the rest of them. At this point in the novel Amy concerns herself with how people view her, so to improve her image she borrows money from her sister and brings in a whole bag, but because her teacher banned the limes she gets in trouble and receives punishment. After her teacher scolds her and whip her hand she goes home to tell her mother about her day and her mother responds by saying she deserved punishment for breaking the rules. Amy sees Laurie, the March’s neighbor and says, “‘I see. It's nice to have accomplishments and be elegant, but not to show off or get perked up,’ said Amy thoughtfully” (Chapter 7, Alcott). At this point in the story Amy has begun to realize how people view her does not mean everything, but as the novel continues she falls back into her old habits. Amy tries the entire length of the novel to impress people by holding events and wearing fine clothing and jewelry, but once she and Laurie get married she changes slightly and the reader sees her become less selfish and more giving which proves she has matured.
Meg, the oldest March sister, concerns herself with her looks and how people will judge her.

Twice towards the beginning of the book Meg displays her deep worry about her appearance and her family’s appearance because she does not want to feel embarrassed. Meg displays her obsession with looks when she says, “‘You must sit still all you can and keep your back out of sight. The front is all right. I shall have a new ribbon for my hair, and Marmee will lend me her little pearl pin, and my new slippers are lovely, and my gloves will do, though they aren't as nice as I'd like’” (Chapter 3, Alcott). Also, she portrays her fear and hatred of embarrassment in the statement, “‘You must have gloves, or I won't go,’ cried Meg decidedly. ‘Gloves are more important than anything else. You can't dance without them, and if you don't I should be so mortified.’” (Chapter 3, Alcott). As the first part of the story wrap up, Meg begins to respect the more important things in life. A major turning point in her attitude and when I believe she changed from vain, menial girl into a strong and happy woman occurred when Aunt March threatened her if she married a poor man like Mr. Brooke and she responds by saying, “‘I shall marry whom I please, Aunt March, and you can leave your money to anyone you like,’” (Chapter 23, Alcott). By retaliating against Aunt March and saying she would rather happiness than money, she illustrates the transformation that took place over the first part of the book.

Louisa May Alcott tells the story of family growing together in her novel Little Women. The four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy all mature in different ways over the course of the novel. Meg and Amy both deeply concern themselves with looks and reputation at the beginning of the book, but as the story progresses, each of these characters develops into women with unselfish

attributes.