Little Women (1868) by Louisa May Alcott


Little Women (1868) by Louisa May Alcott

Lately, the turbulence of the world has been getting to me. So I really needed something like Little Women to brighten my perspective. Louisa May Alcott’s two-part story follows the lives of four sisters in Civil War era New England, as they grow from adolescents to young adults. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy's experiences (victories and trials alike) imbue them (and by extent, the reader) with valuable life lessons. For the most part, each chapter functions as a sort-of parable, where the girls learn how to appreciate their blessings, mind their tempers, behave virtuously, and realize the benefits of simple, honest work. It may sound childish, but many of these lessons come from coping with war, death, and other tragedies.
I’d be remiss not to mention Little Women’s unfortunate upholding of the “domestic role of women” in many cases, but the heart of its message still applies in our more progressive age. The last chapter even reflects on the comforting fact that you can find happiness and fulfillment without necessarily achieving your ideal “castle in the air”. You don’t have to change the world to live a worthwhile life - you just have to get-by honestly and do your best for the people around you. 

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