LOUISA MAY ALCOTT Characters of “Little Women”

MAIN CHARACTERS Josephine March 

The protagonist of the novel, and the second-oldest March sister. Jo, who wants to be a writer, is based on Louisa May Alcott herself, which makes the story semi-autobiographical. Jo has a temper and a quick tongue, although she works hard to control both. She is a tomboy, and reacts with impatience to the many limitations placed on women and girls. She hates romance in her real life, and wants nothing more than to hold her family together.

Meg March The oldest March sister. Responsible and kind, Meg mothers her younger sisters. She has a small weakness for luxury and leisure, but the greater part of her is gentle, loving, and morally vigorous.

Beth March The third March daughter. Beth is very quiet and very virtuous, and she does nothing but try to please others. She adores music and plays the piano very well.

Amy March The youngest March girl. Amy is an artist who adores visual beauty and has a weakness for pretty possessions. She is given to pouting, fits of temper, and vanity; but she does attempt to improve herself

CHARACTERS CONTINUED Laurie Laurence The rich boy who lives next door to the 

Marches. Laurie, whose real name is Theodore Laurence, becomes like a son and brother to the Marches. He is charming, clever, and has a good heart. 

Marmee  The March girls’ mother. Marmee is the moral role model for her girls. She counsels them through all of their problems and works hard but happily while her husband is at war.

Mr. March The March girls’ father and Marmee’s husband. He serves in the Union army as a chaplain. When he returns home, he continues acting as a minister to a nearby parish

Mr. Brooke -  Laurie’s tutor. Mr. Brooke is poor but virtuous

Frederick Bhaer  -  A respected professor in Germany who becomes an impoverished language instructor in America. Mr. Bhaer lives in New York, where he meets Jo. He is kind and fatherly

Mr. Laurence -  Laurie’s grandfather and the Marches’ next-door neighbor. Mr. Laurence seems gruff, but he is loving and kind.

Hannah -  The Marches’ loyal servant. 

Aunt March -  A rich widow and one of the March girls’ aunts. Although crotchety and difficult, Aunt March loves her nieces and wants the best for them. 

Daisy -  Meg and Mr. Brooke’s daughter. Daisy is the twin of Demi. Her real name is Margaret. 

Demi -  Meg and Mr. Brooke’s son and Daisy’s twin. Demi’s real name is John Laurence. 

Mrs. Kirke -  The woman who runs the New York boarding house where Jo lives. 

Kate Vaughn -  One of Laurie’s British friends. At first, Kate turns up her nose at the bluntness and poverty of the Marches. She later decides that she likes them, however, showing that she is able to overcome her initial prejudice. 

Sallie Gardiner -  Meg’s rich friend. Sallie represents the good 

Aunt Carrol -  One of the March girls’ aunts. Aunt Carrol is ladylike, and she takes Amy with her to Europe. 

Florence -  Aunt Carrol’s daughter. Florence accompanies her aunt and Amy to Europe. 

Fred Vaughn -  One of the Vaughn siblings. Fred is Laurie’s friend, but he soon develops a romantic interest in Amy. 

Esther -  Aunt March’s servant. Esther is a French Catholic. 

Annie Moffat  -  Another wealthy friend of Meg’s. Annie is fashionable and social, and she wears stylish clothing that Meg envies. 

Ned Moffat -  The older brother of Meg’s friend Annie Moffat. 

Frank Vaughn  -  One of the Vaughn siblings. Frank is sickly. 

Grace Vaughn -  The youngest sister of the Vaughn family. Grace and Amy become friends on a picnic. 

Dr. Bangs -  A doctor who tends to Beth when she is ailing. 

The Hummels -  A family that lives near the Marches. The Hummels are poor and in bad health. 

THIS IS A STORY WRITTEN ABOUT FOUR GIRLS AND THEIR JOURNEYS FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD.

Alcott explores four possible ways to deal with being a woman bound by the constraints of nineteenth-century social expectations. Women’s struggles between familial duty and personal growth; the danger of gender stereotyping; the necessity of work and the importance of being genuine.

JOS

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Main Character

Second oldest sister.

DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTERS IN LITTLE WOMEN-JO MARCH

Alcott used her own journey from childhood to adulthood in creating the character Jo March. She expresses herself greatly through Jo’s character.

Jo has conflict in her life because she is trying to be a professional writer who is able to convey herself, as well as a well-behaved woman. She pushes the limitation established by nineteenth-century American society. Women were not looked at as equal at this time in history and should not be expressive. Alcott too had to decide family or profession.

Jo is the main character, she has three sisters, she loves to write, she is expressive, and a tomboy

AM

Y M

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Youngest March Sister

Artist

DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTERS IN LITTLE WOMEN-AMY MARCH

To develop the character of Amy, Alcott uses her sister Abba May

Amy, like Jo breaks free and focuses on her art and her individuality at first she struggles to live both a dutiful family life and a meaningful professional life.

Amy and Jo eventually marry and settle into a more customary life.

MEG

MA

RC

H

Oldest March Sister

Loves luxury and Leisure

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DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTERS IN LITTLE WOMEN-MEG MARCH

Megs character is developed from Alcott's older sister Anna

Meg marries young and creates a new family you were to be subservient and dutiful to one’s parents and immediate family, Meg was just that.

BETH

MA

RC

H

Third youngest sister

Quiet, pleaser

loves music

DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTERS IN LITTLE WOMEN-BETH MARCH

Beth's character is developed from Alcott's sister Lizzie who passes away

Beth like Meg is subservient and dutiful to one’s parents and immediate family.

Beth and Meg conform to society’s expectations of the role that women should play.

You are not to have an opinion or be heard.

THE ALCOTT & MARCH FAMILIES

Louis May Alcott Three sisters Interested in art,

music, and writing Lived in a small

town

Jo March Three sisters Interested in art,

music, and writing Lived in a small

town

Similarities

CO

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LU

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Characters of

Little Women

Alcott is not trying to imply through the characters of Little Women that there is only one representation for womanhood and that women should see one life style more pleasing than another. She is merely showing that there is one that is more realistic than another. Being a professional and keeping up at home with the kids, house and additional chores is extremely tough. During the 19th century women were not to have careers or a voice and she shows through some of the characters that women should have been heard. Alcott also, teaches all of us a lesson, that people are able to conform and conformity is good.