Little Women
Little Women is a novel written by American author Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888). The book was written and set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts. It was published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. The novel follows the lives of four sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March—and is loosely based on the author's childhood experiences with her three sisters. Alcott followed Little Women with two sequels, also featuring the March sisters, Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Little Women has been adapted as a play, a musical, an opera, a film, and animation. In fact, I just read the first volume of the book which mainly talk about the life of the four sister from their childhood until their marriage.
The story based on the fact of the author’s life which background is the American civil war. In the novel, the farther Mr. March joins the army as a chaplain, so Mrs. March and her four daughters who are Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy have to be confronted with the poor life.Mrs March, is the authority of the family. She attaches importance to the education of the girl and teaches them many precious virtues. Although they are poor, she still helps people who are more poor. For instance, in chapter one, she tells her children there is a family who is starving and asks girls if they can give their breakfast as presents to the poor family. Each sister has a distinct personality, a reader, an artist, a musician, the quiet one. The eldest daughter, Meg, was sixteen, and very pretty, being plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft, brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands, of which she was rather vain. The second daughter, fifteen-year-old Jo, was very tall, thin, and brown, and reminded one of a colt, for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very much in her way. Her long, thick hair was her one beauty, but it was usually bundled into a net, to be out of her way. The third daughter, Beth, as everyone called her was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression which was seldom disturbed. Her father called her "Little Tranquility," and the name suited her excellently, for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and
loved. The little daughter, Amy, though the youngest, was a most important person in her own opinion at least. She is regarded as a regular snow maiden, with blue eyes, and yellow hair curling on her shoulders, pale and slender, and always carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners.
Among the four sisters, I like the second sister Jo most,because of the personality that she own impressed me deeply in my heart, I like the way that she spend her life and the attitudes that she treat other people and the environment around her. It is very rare in that time when woman have a low status in the society that she still live her life in her own way to pursue her freedom and dream.As a protagonist of the novel, Jo is supposed to be autobiographical depiction of Louisa May Alcott herself. She is outspoken and has a passion for writing. Her nature often gets her into trouble, but her heart often pushes her into acts of kindness. She is free and easy, and she has steadfast determination which she struggles for dream. She earns living expenses with aunt March and writes articles for the newspaper to gain the payment to increase the daily necessities to the family. She is close to her younger sister, Beth. When Beth comes down with scarlet fever, Jo cuts off her long, chestnut brown hair—"her one beauty" — and sells it to a wig shop to earn travel money for her mother to visit their father, a Civil War chaplain who is dangerously ill. Jo receives a marriage proposal from her girlhood friend and neighbor Laurie, but she refuses him. Later, Jo moves to New York, where she meets Professor Friedrich "Fritz" Bhaer, whom she later marries.
In little women, the author describe the life of the March family, they live harmonious with each other and help each other. Every character in the book is vivid when reading the book, they have their own personalities. Each one is unique but can be found among us. I admire the four sisters very much in deed, because it is very luck to have someone to share your joys and your sorrows, especially your true sisters, sometimes they can be your friends and sometimes you enemies, but whatever, there always someone share the blood relationship with you and always support you in your back when you are in trouble,. Although you quarrel sometimes, you are still sisters, when you grow up, you will find that is the most unforgivable experiences that you ever have, even the quarrels.
第二篇：Little Woman 读后感
Little Women
“When you are discontented, think of what joys you have and be grateful.” I still remember these wise words after I finish reading the book Little Women.these wise words were said by Mrs.March who is four girls’mother. She is kind and her words always make me think.
Among the four girls, Jo is my favourite character. She was fifteen-year-old tomboy of the family and liked boys’ games and work and manners. She was quite a bookworm and spent most of her time reading; that is, whenever she wasn’t looking after her cross, elderly aunt. I think she is like me. We have the same character and hobby. Perhaps because of that, I always care about Jo’s life especially.
I find Jo was helpful. When she found that the laurence boy needed some fun and society in his life, she visited the boy and brought him a lot of fun. Suddenly, I begin to think about myself. Do I care about others? Or will I help him when someone is in trouble? I’m not able to give a right answer. But ask yourself, who can do these all the time? Jo made a good example for us.
Actually, everyone has his own duty. Maybe you must work hard for feeding your family or you have to study hard for making your parents happy. However, we must carry our burdens well. The four girls also do the same. Their family was poor and they had to work hard. They made many sacrifices as well for their family. For example, Jo sold her hair to raise money for her ill father. I was moved when I heard what Jo said. She said, “ I believe this style is very comfortable, and I’m sure I’ll never miss all that bothersome hair anyway.” She tried to act disinterested, but I still felt she was very sad.
No one is perfect, so is Jo. She can also be angry with her sister. One day, her sister Amy lost her a little book of fairy stories, so she scolded Amy and slapped Amy on the side of her face. Jo was so angry that when Amy was in danger, she couldn’t give her a hand. But when Amy finally was safe at home, Jo confessed to her mother that the accident was all her fault. “ Jo, you must learn to forgive others just as quickly as you are to angry,” Marmee said lovingly. “Remember that by forgiving others, you are forgiving yourself.” I think her mother not only said to her but also said to us. We can meet the same things, can we forgive others easily? We should remember these words.
1
I’m very happy to see that the story has a happy ending. I learn a lot from the story,such as forgiving independence and so on.What’s more, Mrs.March’s words also make me learn to live, for example “If you carry yourself humbly yet surely, you will only generate respect in others for you.” I will remember them forever.
金华市婺城区浙师大附中（金华二中）
高一（17）班 徐慧
指导老师： 洪霞
2