Little Women
Yesterday I went to see Greta Gerwig's refreshing take on Little Women.
The critically acclaimed original 1868 young adult novel about Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March was written by Louisa May Alcott. The story was loosely based on the experiences of Alcott with her three sisters.
Louisa May Alcott was an abolitionist and feminist from a transcendentalist background influenced by Henry David Thoreau (Civil Disobedience), Ralph Waldo Emerson (the Essay "Nature"), Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlet Letter), Margaret Fuller (Woman in the Nineteenth Century), and Julia Ward Howe (The Battle Hymn of the Republic). She worked as a teacher, seamstress, governess, domestic helper, and writer. Writing was a creative and emotional outlet for her.
The Four Sisters
1. Meg March
Emma Watson played Meg March beautifully as a girl who fitted into the mould of her society and met the expectations on women during her time.
2. Jo March
The main character Josephine/Jo March is a strong willed and hot tempered girl. Portrayed by Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird) in this adaptation, the young woman loves reading and writing.
3. Beth March
Beth is a kind, shy, and musical girl and her life taught Jo to live hers with more care for others.
4. Amy March
Amy is an artistic young lady who worked hard to develop her talent and finds success.
Some of the themes touch on by the work were:
Family and marriage,
Poverty and work,
Morality and society,
Independence and women's rights
One of the quotes that was particularly effective was:
"Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. I’m so sick of it!" - Jo March
The above showed how the Jo was frustrated at the society she lives in. Another funny dialogue was:
Jo March: I intend to make my own way in the world. Aunt March: No one makes their way, least of all a woman. You’ll need to marry well. Jo March: But you’re not married, Aunt March. Aunt March: Well, that’s because I’m rich.
The quote with the most impact was, however, by Meg. As I'm not sure I want to paddle my own canoe.
"Just because my dreams are different than yours, it doesn't mean they're unimportant." - Meg March
Overall, I thought the original author was well ahead of her time in writing an inspiring feminist young adult novel - reclaiming the term 'spinster'. Greta Gerwig's adaptation modernised Louisa May Alcott's work and was at times highly entertaining. Check out the official trailer on YouTube:
If you've seen it, please leave a comment on what you thought of this adaptation!