Reflections on Little Women

The discussion and lecture on Little Women produceded many thoughts about gender roles and how we perceive them. Someone in discussion asked if women who read the novel when it was first published would think of Jo differently than how we think of her now. Modern readers encourage Jo because we are more receptive to her individuality and are less likely to judge her because she behaves more masculine than the girls around her. This is not to say that if Jo lived in our society she would not be criticized for her masculine behaviors; she still may receive some criticism, but our society would be less critical of her behaviors. I think that women who read the novel when it was first published would think of Jo's behavior as strange but they would secretly admire her for her courage to be an individual. She did not conform. Professor Hass mentioned that Alcott's personal experiences influenced Jo's character. This shows that not all women wanted to conform to the roles society enforced.

The gender roles were also influenced by class. I found that lady-like behavior was most important to the girls when they were at parties with wealthy individuals. They feel that they really have to be lady-like around wealthy girls who know how to behave. Jo asks Meg to watch her behavior while they are at the party. Meg is sure to raise her eyebrows when Jo steps out of line. Before they leave for the party, Jo tells her sister that she wont wear gloves because she does not hove any clean ones. Meg cannot fathom the idea that Jo would think of going without any gloves because women did not go out to these events with bear hands. This illustrates how the girls' perception of gender is influenced by class.