Little Women
...auty, but it was usually bundled into a net, to be out of her way. Round shoulders had Jo, big hands and feet, a flyaway look to her clothes, and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and didn’t like it. Elizabeth-or Beth, as everyone called her-was a rosy, smooth haired, bright-eyed girl, with a shy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression which was seldom disturbed. Amy, though the youngest, was a most important person- in her own opinion at least. 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. Little Women tracks the four March girls-Meg, Beth, Amy, and Jo-as they grow girlhood to adulthood. The book is separated into two parts. The first part documents a year in the life of the girls’ childhood. The marches get into many scrapes as they try to overcome their weaknesses. Meg tries to stop desiring luxury and leisure. Jo struggles to control her quick temper. Beth quietly attempts her shyness. And Amy tries to forget her vanity. This part also introduces Mr. Laurence and his grandson Laurie, who live next door and become the Marches’ dear friends. The first part of the novel ends with Laurie’s tutor, Mr. Brooke, proposing marriage to Meg, who accepts. This act seems to start closing the door on the girls’ childhood. In the second part of the novel, the girls are al...