Little Women

In the novel Little Women, Louisa May Alcott tells the story of four sisters growing up with their father away at war, a mother (do they say much about the mother) and having to learn the responsibilities of domestic chores. Each sister is portrayed as having a different artistic talent and all but one have a talent acceptable for women at that time. The exception is the rebellious and spirited Jo March, who pursues the then-considered masculine role of writing. Through her creative imagination, her rebelliousness against becoming a “typical” girl and her determination to persevere in her writing, Jo shows that a woman’s role can be expanded and women generally can achieve much more personal satisfaction than was normal at that time.

It is because Jo took the initiative to act on her creative and imaginative talents that she became an inspiration for woman. Jo is portrayed as the kind of girl who never lets herself get bored, “Can’t keep still all day, and not being...