Morality in Little Women
In Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Josephine March is able to be moral despite the great pressures and responsibilities imposed on her by her gender, the economic and political circumstances of the time, her role as elder sister, and her immense creative talent. However, Jo is also notoriously stubborn, proud, and easily provoked to anger, vices that consistently challenge her moral resolve throughout her adolescence and early adulthood, but ultimately Jo is able to overcome these vices with the help of moral guidance given to her from her family and upbringing so that she matures into a humble, charitable, and temperate character, far more mature than the fiery character of her youth.
The first instance of Jo's vices getting the best of her is when she remains angry at Amy for burning her manuscript even after Amy apologizes. The next day Jo does not warn Amy about the thin ice when they go ice skating, saying "no matter whether she heard or not, let her take care of herself" (Alcott 145). Subsequently, Amy falls into the freezing water and Jo finally realizes that her "bitter temper" had gotten the best of her, to the point that her sister almost died. Luckily, Jo still tries to lead a moral life...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now