My Holiday Favorite: Little Feminist Women

When I was little, my mom read Little Women to me. It was a beautiful hardback book, covered with a sweet drawing of the March family gathered around the piano. I loved the story of those sisters who were much like their mother, living by a moral code that required right actions, right thoughts, kindness, respect for others and self, and making the best decisions possible.

For Christmas my mom gave me the 1994 film staring Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon. I’ve seen this, and the other versions, many times over the year. In fact, I named my clothing line Jo March Designs after my favorite character. Jo has always been one of my role models, the strong, independent sister, who believes in women’s rights and follows her dreams. But it was this year, that I realized what a blatant feminist story this was. I must sound so naïve, but I never realized the entire plot of the story is how Mr. March is fighting in the war, and the March women must fend for themselves and try to maintain the family on a pittance. To keep the families social standing and avoid a life as a domestic servant these bright, educated women instead must rely on clever frugality, as well as on the support of the men in their lives. With four young women in the household the need to marry, and hopefully marry well, is a reoccurring conversation. My heroism Jo instead insists on a world where a woman can love anyone she chooses and support herself instead.

Today, I know so many bright women that embody Jo March. With millions copies sold I wonder how many women were influenced by Louisa May Alcott’s 1968 masterpiece. With Gillian Armstrong’s 1994 version, and the all star cast, there will be many more to come.

Comments

[Zoe]

I imagine you would like Louisa even more, as this book was her statement to her Transcendentalist father, Amos, that women should make their own choices like husbands and, even, to be single. Mr. Alcott found out that his daughter was a feminist.