Little Women
1868-69 novel
by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is essentially a story about family. The story follows the lives of the March sisters--Margaret "Meg," Josephine "Jo," Elizabeth "Beth," and Amy. Each of them have their own distinct personalities, and occasionally those personalities clash, but time and again, with the help of their loving Father and Marmee, they learn important life lessons: the importance of love and family, forgiveness, having faith in their creator, accepting loss, etc. The story begins when Meg, the oldest of the sisters, is only sixteen, and it follows them, their adventures and life lessons over several years time. It doesn't just look at hard, trying or profound times, either. There are passages that make the reader laugh, and smile.
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| Louisa May Alcott |
The story is written by Louisa May Alcott, and it has strong ties to her real life. The characters of the March family are all based on her real parents, her sisters and herself (as portrayed by Jo), and although the names were changed for most of them, nothing was changed about the character of her beloved sister, Beth--not even her name. Many of the scenarios that are presented to the reader are actual memories belonging to Alcott of her family. The story is even set in and around Alcott's childhood home, which is also where she wrote it. Perhaps because of the deeply personal ties to the story, it is written in a way that makes the reader feel like they know the characters, and take a personal interest in what happens to them as the story goes on.
Alcott originally only wrote the first half of the novel (which is split into two parts) and had it published in 1868. She did not believe that it would be well received, or that people would be interested in it. Therefore, she only published to first part to begin with. To test the waters, if you will. She was surprised at the warm reception, and agreed to finish the story, with the second half being published in 1869.
I honestly cannot even begin to express how much I love this story. The plot sounds so simple, almost like there is nothing to it, and maybe that's true, but it is so fascinating and fun. It's merely a coming of age story--a story about a family that will make you laugh, smile, cry, and keep turning the pages to figure out what happens to the girls and their loved ones. I know so many people who have read this story, and I've found that even though the reader always loves the entire March family, they always have that one March sister which is their favorite. I know people whose favorite is Amy, or maybe Meg, or of course, free-spirited Jo. My own personal favorite is Beth. But no matter which sister wins your heart, everybody I know who has read the book loves it, and learns and grows along with the March family as they read.
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| Beth March |
Of course, when there is a book beloved by so many, film adaptations are bound to follow.
There are several classic versions that have been brought to the public over the years:
A 1933 version starring Katharine Hepburn as Jo, Frances Dee as Meg, Jean Parker as Beth, and Joan Bennett as Amy.
A 1949 version starring June Allyson as Jo, Janet Leigh as Meg, Margaret O'Brien as Beth, and Elizabeth Taylor as Amy.
A 1978 version starring Susan Dey as Jo, Meredith Baxter Birney as Meg, Eve Plumb as Beth, and Ann Dusenberry as Amy.
If I were to choose which of the above mentioned classic versions of the movie as my favorite, I would have to say, after seeing all of them, the 1949 version, which I was raised on. We had it as a VHS tape when I was a kid and I watched it so many times I'm surprised it still works.
However, if I had to choose my absolute favorite version of the movie from all time, even though it might not qualify as a classic, it would have to be....
Little Women
1994
Starring Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, Samantha Mathis, Christian Bale, and Susan Sarandon
This version is by far the best I have ever seen. There is just something about it that really encompasses the true feeling of family and love that you get when you read the book.
It's phenomenal, with Winona Ryder as spirited Jo, Trini Alvarado as pretty Meg, Claire Danes in her first film role as timid Beth, and artistic Amy portrayed both by Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis as she ages.
Susan Sarandon really steps into the role of Marmee, in all her wisdom, and Christian Bale is Theodore "Teddy"/"Laurie" Laurence, the boy from next door.
The book presents such a beautiful story, written from the heart of Louisa May Alcott, and this movie is the only one that truly captures that on the screen, in my opinion.
Here is the trailer for the movie:
"There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind."
"I may be strong-minded, but no one can say I'm out of my sphere now, for woman's special mission is supposed to be drying tears and bearing burdens."
-Jo March
"Give them all my dear love and a kiss. Tell them I think of them by day, pray for them by night, and find my best comfort in their affection at all times. A year seems very long to wait before I see them, but remind them that while we wait we may all work, so that these hard days need not be wasted. I know they will remember all I said to them, that they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women."
-A letter from Mr. March to Marmee
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