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Louisa May Alcott · 1868
Little Women
The story of Louisa May Alcott’s novel in a few minutes: what happens, who is who, what it means, and its most famous lines.
- Author
- Louisa May Alcott
- Published
- 1868–1869
- Setting
- Massachusetts, during and after the American Civil War
- Genre
- Coming of age, family
Summary
The four March sisters live with their mother, Marmee, while their father serves in the Civil War: Meg, the eldest and most proper; Jo, the tomboy who wants to be a writer; gentle, shy Beth; and Amy, the youngest, who loves art and fine things. They are poor, but rich in love, and they befriend Laurie, the lively boy next door.
The novel follows them from girlhood to womanhood. Meg marries the tutor John Brooke. Jo refuses Laurie’s proposal, goes to New York to write, and meets Professor Bhaer. Beth, weakened by scarlet fever, dies. Amy, travelling in Europe, meets Laurie again and marries him. Jo marries Professor Bhaer, and together they open a school.
Main characters
| Jo March | independent, hot-tempered, a writer |
| Meg March | the eldest, gentle and responsible |
| Beth March | shy and loving |
| Amy March | artistic and ambitious |
| Laurie | the March girls’ neighbour and friend |
| Marmee | their wise mother |
Themes
- Family and sisterhood
- Growing up and finding one’s own path
- Work, goodness and simple living
Read it free
Little Women is out of copyright. The whole novel can be read or downloaded free from Project Gutenberg.
Quotes
Famous quotes from Little Women
I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.
Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.
Questions
About the novel
Who are the four sisters in Little Women?
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March.
Does Jo marry Laurie?
No. Laurie marries Amy, and Jo marries Professor Bhaer.
Is Little Women based on a true story?
Partly: Alcott based the March sisters on herself and her own three sisters.