Little Women by Louise May Alcott: Not a full embodiment of a Bildungsroman novel. 

Written in 1868 and 69, Little Women is the part fiction, part memoir-esque novel of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Set in Civil War America, the novel tells the tale of the sisters, from their childhood in a ‘genteel poverty’ home to married women, with their own separate lives. 

   In the modern age, Little Women is seen as one of the original ‘coming of age’ narratives that, inspired too many comedy romances. However, after reading the novel, it can be argued that the Bildungsroman label only appeals to the fact that the sisters get married in the end. Apart from Beth, who passes from scarlet fever, the sisters manage to maintain their childhood passions well into part two of the novel; Good Wives (1869). 

   From the perspective of Jo (LMA), the passionate abolitionist and feminist ideas of the author is not prevalent. As, even in today’s western culture, the worldly imagination of a child can not be defined as thus until she is an adult. With a ‘mischievous glint in her eyes’, Jo evidently is trying to ‘be what (her father) loves to call ‘a little woman’ and not to be rough and wild.’ Quite the opposite to her artistic sister Amy and feminine sister Meg, both of whom embrace life, love and (one day) marriage. 

Ergo, the typical feminist ideals cannot be fully embraced by Little Women.

All four sisters get married off by the end of part 2. Jo, the most outspoken of the group, ends up marrying Professor Bhaer, (a teacher from a boarding house she stays in during part 2).  
  From the characters alone, it can be said that the book contradicts what we think the average feminist should be. As, from a 21st century perspective, a feminist is often associated with strength, leadership and wealth. In the context of the novel, such aspirations are limited to the rich 'married' women and widows of society. 

Money and power are synonymous with each other. If you did not have the keys to such doors, you are left destitute of friends and any 'modern' pleasure in your life. 

Another contextual idea that is explored in this novel is 'genteel poverty'. A label given to Alcott's family of sisters, and stays with them to the very end of the novel. It is rather confusing this label, as the family is neither poor or not 'well off' enough to earn at least an acknowledgment from society. (Suggests a 'lack of commitment', if you ask today's reader.) 

The ideas associated with 'genteel poverty' can be extended to sisters Jo and Amy and their character development. Jo embraces radical ideas and imagination in her writing. Whilst Amy pursues fine art along with learning etiquette from Aunt March. Art and literature stereotypically go hand in hand, with their thoughts against societal standards. Yet, in Jo and Amy's case, it is suggested that they use such pursuits to distract themselves from their Achilles heel; lifelong dissatisfaction and, dare we say, hesitation. 

Part One and Part Two of Little Women are polar opposites of each other. Maybe due to it being a memoir of LMA and her sisters. Or, could it be to get across the similarities and differences between childhood and adulthood. 

A reassurance, if you will, that life and imagination will not see curtains once you leave home. Or, in the case of the sisters, imagination will not die once you commit yourselves to marriage. That being said, the 'memoir-esque' structure of the novel does connote LMA's abolitionist views of 'reality over ideals'. Which is evident in the lives of Jo and Amy. Who are seen to be reluctant in stepping into societal adult life (a true embodiment of LMA's perspective on life). However, in the case of Meg, that is not the case. A complete opposite to Jo and Amy, Beth having passed on, Meg wants marriage and the social life that comes with it. 

With the exciting characters of Jo and Amy, you can say that calm stability desired by Meg provides balance in the novel. Something that is needed to avoid the novel being interpreted as the Sister drama Olympics!

In the end though, we can say that Little Women is one great adventure into love and friendship (a bit like your modern day soap opera!) People’s hearts get broken and revelations get realised right at the last minute. Novels to also pick up, should you love this book, are ‘The Marriage Game’ by Alison Weir and ‘Just Kids’ by Patti Smith. Both deal with characters that grow up throughout the novel (true Bildungsromans) and both come to terms with adulthood at the very end of the novel. 

I could write more about this light hearted drama. But alas, you can only write so much without rambling on and, potentially, going off path. 

This has been a great read and I’ll be sure to pick up again once the weather gets colder. 

Thank you and see you next time, 

E xx