Gender in LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women was of the novels I was constantly reading as a young teenager. I believe the last time I read it I was about twelve. At that age, one isn’t really concerned with gender theory. Reading the novel at a much older age is quite a different experience. Alcott’s challenges against gender stereotyping are much more apparent, especially with Jo’s character. I always knew that Jo was a tomboyish character, but Alcott’s challenge against that time’s “ideal women” is more apparent and better understood during this reading. The line that particularly struck me was Jo declaring, “I’m the man of the family now papa is away…” (14). The fact that Jo used the word “man” instead of simply stating that she was now in charge surprised me. Jo was not just acting manly, but actually wanted to be considered a man. I do not mean that she wanted to physically be a man, but rather she wanted to prove her equality in fields considered to be only dominated by men. These include Jo’s longing to join her father at war and Jo’s dream of earning a living rather than simply marrying. What makes Jo even more interesting is how opposite she is from her sisters. Meg, Beth and Amy are fairly stereotypical representations of women in the 19th century. Even the faults they identify themselves with are stereotypical feminine in some ways. Vanity, selfishness, and envy for pretty material items are traits that I have begun to associate with women throughout literature. Jo’s fault, a temper, is not usually scene with women in this era. When I think of the ideal women in the 19th century or early, the terms of docile, fragile, and sweet come to mind. Jo does not particularly fit any of these qualities. Beth more appropriately fits this description. This lack of social grace in fact makes Jo very charming and more relatable. Jo is one of the characters that are written most favorably towards, thus promoting women challenging the roles assigned to them.
Jo is not the only character who defies conventional gendered stereotypes. Laurie has traits and dreams that do not follow the “normal” male pattern. His dream to pursue music was seen as a feminine pursuit in the 19th century, a reason his grandfather looks down upon it. Like Jo, Laurie also changes his name to something that more appropriately fits his personality. Theodore has a more masculine quality to it than Laurie. Laurie’s defiance of gender stereotypes is not as obvious as Jo’s, but is just as significant. If read with a gender studies lens, the book can be taken as a story against the dangers of gender stereotypes and an example of the good can come from defying them. I was just though that this book was merely just a good story, but reading it again I find something completely new. This is by far the most enjoyable thing we have read so far. The novel has an endearing charm to it that lasts read after read. I’m curious to see the new thing I will discover when finishing the novel.