Favorite Book 2: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The novel put in the pictures about the story of four sisters growing up with their father away at war, a mother and having to learn the responsibilities of domestic household tasks. Each sister is represented at the same time having a different creative talent and but one have a talent suitable for women at that time.

The exception is the disloyal and spirited Joe who follows the masculine role of writing. Through her creative thoughts, disloyalty against becoming a classic girl and determination to keep on writing; Joe shows that a woman’s role can be expanded and women generally can achieve much more personal satisfaction than a normal person at that time.

It is because that Joe took the idea to act on her creative and artistic talents that she became an encouragement for woman. Joe is a girl who never get fed up and this proves from the section can’t keep still all day without being a pussycat. With that Joe took off for the afternoon to keep busy, with her imagination. No matter what is going on around the house through her creativity, Joe is always able to keep her entertained.

The imaginative thinking of Joe made her a great writer. The four sisters had created their own secret society within the house and on rainy days they organized their meetings. They read an article in a newspaper how they had created Joe with her creative talents by writing stories and poems. This made Joe a good practice to become a real writer.

Women were expected to stay at home to cook, clean the house and look after the children. For Josephine that kind of labor would be pain. Joe enjoyed playing boys’ games and doing boys’ labor, Joe’s lack of perfect lady shows when she and Meg are invited to a party. Meg has to remind Joe that she is a young lady.

Meg is uncomfortable by her sister’s lack of interest in the female facts. This is particularly so when they are on an outing where young men are present and Meg wishes to make a good thought. Joe hasn’t a thought in the world about her image. What she does care so keenly about is her writing and the wish that it be taken seriously.

The other three sisters are concerned to grow up and get married. This is a typical attitude for young women at the time to be interested in wishing for fending for oneself. Joe has no desire to marry. She feels that all the love she needs is right there in her family. When her sister Meg decides to get married, Joe feels like she’s losing part of herself.

As the oldest daughter she has always put up with a reasonable responsibility, particularly with not having her father at home. Joe wanted a career and the ability to be profitable. These were not the dreams of the typical girl whose only goal is to get married and start a family. Joe would moderately have career and take care of herself.

Women were not allowed to publish their own works but that didn't stop Joe from privately writing own stories and plays. Her sisters were her biggest supporters. Always the passion is to be a writer with a clear mind.

Joe would work away at her writing. Finally finishing a piece of work Joe cried out. No matter how many drafts she had to write, Joe would continue until her work was perfect. Joe’s first submission was to a newspaper but that was not accepted and did not earn any money.  

Woman at the time of this novel lead a very structured life. Josephine attempt to achieve these challenges of society and do what made her happy. Even though her chosen field was male oriented, she continued and achieved goal of becoming a writer. The character of Joe is an encouragement for a woman because she performed all these hard work with her determination. Through her creativity, disloyalty nature and not to be like every other girl and her determination carried towards success.