Stories of family life have been
popular for years. Have you ever read a book about this subject? Do you like
family stories? There
is not a main character in the book, four sisters Amy, Jo, Beth, and Meg, are all
the main characters, It is a simple and true story written by Louisa May
Alcott.
The oldest girl, Meg, was sixteen
and very pretty, with large eyes and soft brown hair, and white hands. Meg got
a job teaching four small children. It was hard for her to be poor because she
could remember the time when it was beautiful with everything they wanted. Jo
was fifteen and very tall and thin. Her long, dark-red hair was usually pushed
up out of the way. Jo went to Aunt March, who needed someone to fetch and carry
things, and read to her. She was a difficult old lady who complained a lot, but
Jo did her best. Beth was thirteen, a very shy girl who seemed to have a happy
life in a world of her own. Beth was much too shy go to school with other
children, so she studied at home. She also spent long, quiet hours alone,
talking to her dolls or playing the old piano. Beth loved music, and although
the family could not afford music lessons or a good piano for her, she tried
hard to make herself a better musician. Amy was the youngest, but thought
herself to be the most important. She had blue eyes, and yellow hair which
curled down on to her shoulders. Amy drew the most beautiful pictures and
wanted to be a famous painter one day. She was favorite with everyone, except
when she complained about having to wear her cousin’s old clothes because her
mother could not afford to buy new ones for her. The story published in 1868 was a huge
success. The author used the experiences of her own family. Little Women has
become a classic of American children’s literature. It has never been out of
print, and the story has been filmed four times.
When the novel begins, the four
sisters are around the fire talking about Christmas presents. They want to have
pretty things but they are poor and their father is away at the war in the
South. That evening Mrs. March arrives home soon; she reads the letter written
by their father. Would after the letter, the four girls
decided that they would all try very hard to be good.
They would never be cross, or lazy, or selfish, and they would all help each
other. They talk over their plan that evening. They do not always succeed, and
sometimes there are arguments and secrets and angry tears. But there are also
laughter and fun. When Christmas comes for the four girls, they give their
Christmas breakfast away to a poor family. In the evening, Old Mr. Laurence who
lives with his grandson, Laurie, in next house sends them food for supper. A
day or two later, they receive an invitation to a New Year’s party, and Jo and
Meg go to the party, and Jo meets Laurie. After that, they become friend to
Laurie. The subsequent events develop in
four sisters and Old Mr. Laurence and his grandson, Laurie.
The story, Little Women, is simple
and moving. When you are reading the book, you are not bored. There are similar
problems in every family mentioned in the book, so the readers can identify
themselves with their lives in the story.
