“Here is a young woman plagued by so many recognizable flaws - selfishness, egoism, a need for control - and yet, she fights valiantly against the darker parts of her own nature, insisting on creating a life of meaning, purpose, and authenticity.” Absolutely loved this!!
Just discovered this essay from @DixieDillonLane's round-up - and what a delight to read. We do love Jo for her burning desires for Big Things and yet her interior wrestling with the fact that she does, indeed, care about small things too.
Having been formed by the 1994 version, I fell in love with Laurie and wished they would be together forever. But I wonder, would Jo be as good of a writer if she had married him? Would he have pushed her, told her the truth, challenged her to be better?
Although I love LM Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, the book steals some moments from Little Women like when Gilbert gives Anne advice about her book. I love this essay of yours so much. My mother grew up with three sisters. They were all reunited after spending time in orphanages. When her older sister read Little Women to her she said the book gave her permission to feel again. Years later she read it to us and cried and cried.
"Jo’s heroism is the normal sort." YES! To me, the adventure that awaits her in the ordinary, mundane acts of writing, working, and meeting love for the first time is what compels my continued adoration.
It drives me crazy how every movie version gets Bhaer’s criticism of Jo’s writing wrong. If I remember correctly, they never come to a confrontation with angry words about it. Jo overhears his comments and strives to better herself/her writing internally, on her own, showing incredible strength of character. In every movie she is shown yelling and storming away!
Also I recommend the Little Women musical soundtrack😊
I came here from Haley Stewart’s newsletter and was not disappointed. Unlike so many, Jo is actually not my favorite (I waffle between Meg and Amy), but I think you nailed what Alcott is doing with her character. I’m also delighted to see I’m not the only Team Behr reader in the world 😂
“Here is a young woman plagued by so many recognizable flaws - selfishness, egoism, a need for control - and yet, she fights valiantly against the darker parts of her own nature, insisting on creating a life of meaning, purpose, and authenticity.” Absolutely loved this!!
Thank you Krista!!
Just discovered this essay from @DixieDillonLane's round-up - and what a delight to read. We do love Jo for her burning desires for Big Things and yet her interior wrestling with the fact that she does, indeed, care about small things too.
Having been formed by the 1994 version, I fell in love with Laurie and wished they would be together forever. But I wonder, would Jo be as good of a writer if she had married him? Would he have pushed her, told her the truth, challenged her to be better?
Although I love LM Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, the book steals some moments from Little Women like when Gilbert gives Anne advice about her book. I love this essay of yours so much. My mother grew up with three sisters. They were all reunited after spending time in orphanages. When her older sister read Little Women to her she said the book gave her permission to feel again. Years later she read it to us and cried and cried.
"Jo’s heroism is the normal sort." YES! To me, the adventure that awaits her in the ordinary, mundane acts of writing, working, and meeting love for the first time is what compels my continued adoration.
It drives me crazy how every movie version gets Bhaer’s criticism of Jo’s writing wrong. If I remember correctly, they never come to a confrontation with angry words about it. Jo overhears his comments and strives to better herself/her writing internally, on her own, showing incredible strength of character. In every movie she is shown yelling and storming away!
Also I recommend the Little Women musical soundtrack😊
I came here from Haley Stewart’s newsletter and was not disappointed. Unlike so many, Jo is actually not my favorite (I waffle between Meg and Amy), but I think you nailed what Alcott is doing with her character. I’m also delighted to see I’m not the only Team Behr reader in the world 😂
I mean Bhaer of course.
I absolutely loved this. Thanks for sharing, Katie.
I, too, fall into the Prof. Bhaer camp. ❤️ this was lovely. Thank you!