Little Women

[Darling_Reads]

Little Women was the first Classic Novel I read when I was a girl. I was in the 3rd grade and they said it would be difficult and advanced for me but I read it anyway. I fell in love with the characters and the plight of the girls. My teacher was surprised that I actually read it but I was able to understand the story. I read it again when I was in middle school as it was an option on one of our required reading lists. It remains one of my favorite Classics.

[GeraldineMcClintock]

I started reading this book when I was younger but, never did finish it. I'm not a big fan of author that describe every leaf, tree or every blemish on a character face. So I agree with others that have said the story is wordy and preachy. This for me is a big turn off.

[verymuchmeg]

This was my absolute favorite book growing up, and well into my 20's. As an only child, I loved how I could temporarily slip into the world of the March family. You might want to consider reading the book Marmee and Louisa by Eva La Plante. It could be a great guide to your book-related discussions! Also, several times when I was reading Little Women (I was also a Girl Scout from 1st grade Brownies all the way through until I became a leader), I noticed that it was almost as if the March family made their own small troop of Girl Scouts. After all, they did a lot of the same activities: hikes, service projects, activities involving the arts....

[stoops96]

I know this book is mainly for young girls and women and I've never read it, but after seeing this thread, I went and wiki'd it. I know, I know, that's cheating, but I wanted to get an idea what it was about. Also, I will probably read the book as I think it's in the public domain and I found a pdf version of it online.

To me, I think this book shaped the lives of many young women. That's how powerful a book can be. It can shape lives and change the course of history. I think this is one of those books. Like many are saying, it shows young girls that it's okay to be independent and to make mistakes and to go after equality in a world that teaches that inequality is right.

I believe in equality for all. To me, the most healthy situation for the world is the idealized version of the family. The father out working to support his family. Strong, to show his sons how to be strong, and to show them how to take care of a woman. And sensitive to show his daughter how a man is supposed to treat a woman.

The wife at home taking care of the home and kids, making sure the kids are not out there getting into trouble, hanging around the wrong kids, watching/listening to the wrong things. Basically steering them in the right path by always being there for them. Kids should be guided by their parents or else bad things will do it for them.

The situation where the parents are guiding their children is a far cry from what's going on today. Kids are being raised by teachers and by other kids and by a television set and by the internet and by themselves. This is leading to a breakdown of the family unit. Life is becoming more disorganized and chaotic, unhealthy. Not cohesive like it should be.

The continued cycle of the idealized family, keeps the family unit whole. Once it's deviated from, bad things start to happen. I really think that if people aren't ready to sacrifice for a family, then they shouldn't get married or have children. Getting married and having children is a big responsibility. Not something one should take in stride or have a cavalier attitude about. Men should know this, women should know this.

Getting married and having children is not about equality. It's about sacrifice. It's about giving up your equality. It's about giving up your independence. It's about giving up your freedom. It's not about YOU anymore. A selfish attitude should be an oxymoron to getting married and having kids.

But that's not how many people think. Many people keep their selfish attitudes. They make it all about them. It's all me, me, me! If people want to be selfish and not sacrifice, and only think about me, me, me, then they shouldn't get married and they definitely should not have kids. Stay single and be selfish.

Once you get married and have kids, forget about equality, forget about freedom, forget about independence, and forget about yourself. This goes for the man and woman. Because it stops being about you and starts being about what is best for the family unit. What is healthy for the family unit. And what is healthy for the future of humanity.

Because that's what our kids are. The future of humanity. Show them the right way, how to sacrifice and give up for their families and they will pass it on to their kids. And the cycle will continue. And instead of disorganized and chaotic, the future of humanity will be healthy and strong.

[Norma_Rudolph]

Stoops96: Wow you really had a lot to say there. Not sure how you got all of that out of Little Women, especially as you didn't actually read it. And even though I basically agree with a lot of what you said I don't see how it relates to Little Women all that much. You may want to step off your soap box and ease up a little, unless of course you are trying to be a troll, then okay, your doing that really well.

Little Woman is sweet book with good values, written in a time when family was a strong and fought for value. Mr March is fighting for the freedom of his family which leaves his wife and girls to struggle along until his return. Reading about that struggle we can all learn about love, sacrifice and family unity. There, from someone who has read the book . . . Just saying.

[sahmoun2778]

I have always really enjoyed this story. I've read it completely through a couple of times. When I first read the book I was about the same age as the younger girls and of course it was easy to relate to them and the challenges of growing up. I liked the way the author explored the relationships between the girls and the adults in their lives.

[cduggins17]

The film version of Little Women is my step-sister's favorite movie to watch around the holidays. I have yet to read the book, but from what others are saying, I believe I would enjoy it greatly. I wonder if it would be a good book for high school students, but it seems its more for a younger audience.

[bluebutterfly2]

I enjoyed the book the few times I've read it. (By few I mean like 2 or 3 times.) I like the sequels better, though. (Little Men, and Jo's Boys)

[Wind Wise]

I really don't remember much about this book, but I swear I read it when I was younger. Maybe I need to read it again to jog my memory.

[kcondo]

Little women anti-feminist. Don't know is that is true. I would think you would have to consider the feminine roles of that time period. Jo March is no ordinary women. Yes she has ordinary aspects to her life. However, she chooses to do something with it that is noble and brave. She doesn't let her slide into a traditional role stop her from chasing what she wants. Therefore in response to the first response of this forum. Yes those people are nuts. Little women is the first book I ever read in its entirety,. And I definitely was bitten by the book bug. Life after the March family was never the same.

[librarydancer]

Little Women is definately not anti-feminist. In fact, Bronson Alcott, the father of Louisa, was friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson, and had a school for both boys and girls. Education for women, and being an active participant of society was a central feature of most of her children's novel.

-- 18 Nov 2014, 20:13 --

Little Women is definately not anti-feminist. In fact, Bronson Alcott, the father of Louisa, was friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson, and had a school for both boys and girls. Education for women, and being an active participant of society was a central feature of most of her children's novel.

[MaragothThorn]

Try to concentrate on how the March sisters (and Laurie) mature throughout the book. Always remember to list their struggles, their qualities before the struggles, and then the qualities they attain after the struggles.

[lovablegeek123]

OH I love this book! It makes me so happy and the writing is so easy to follow that anyone can enjoy it.

[tashinam18]

I read Little Women this summer and completely understood Jo:)! Since then I have read the sequel, Little Men but have not been able to get my hands on Jo's boys. But I am hoping to be able to soon. I just love the way it is written.

[Robee]

I really liked reading this book when I was in elementary and it was assigned to me. I was able to speak up for myself and stay rooted to my beliefs because of the experiences in the book.