Analysis Of Little Women By Louisa May Alcott

In the novel, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, four aspiring young girls receive guidance to maturity by their caring and sagacious mother as well as those around them. Marmee, for her children, furthermore, repeatedly defines just work as productive efforts intended to efficiently help and benefit, not only the worker, but those they care for. Alcott uses the characters’ actions, both poor and wise, to illustrate astounding merits of difficult and genuine work through the girls’ lazy week and by them partaking in unproductive labor such as dressing up in order to flaunt oneself as well as instigating arguments and trouble. The girls’ week of laziness, moreover, introduced a foreign manner of working to the girls, more accurately, a manner
This already differs from the previously provided definition of just work. Meg however, does not flaunt her fancy attire for her self-benefit but rather for the pleasure of the Moffatt family. The Moffatts, as well as the guests, call Meg a doll, an object of beauty and fun. Meg then goes home to confess to her mother about her vain work, where her mother adds that she would “rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace” (Alcott, 9). Meg’s blind actions lead her to egotistical and unproductive doings. Marmee thinks that these actions are futile and Meg should stick to working harder for more beneficial outcomes in order to solve her problems. As Hannah had once advised the children, “work is the panacea for most afflictions” (Alcott,15). Alcott uses Hannah opinion to spread the theme of just labor. Hannah suggests that genuine work acts as the remedy to most problems, affirming the importance of such work. The aspiring young girls seek consultation of reasons for work from their affectionate mother. Mrs. March teaches through example often asking the girls to assess their actions and pushing them to find solutions and to better equip themselves for a morally sound life. Alcott uses the girls’ actions against good work and wise advice in order to encourage just work for it results in ideals that the March family