Morality in Little Women
In Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Josephine March is able to be moral despite the great pressures and responsibilities imposed on her by her gender, the economic and political circumstances of the time, her role as elder sister, and her immense creative talent. However, Jo is also notoriously stubborn, proud, and easily provoked to anger, vices that consistently challenge her moral resolve throughout her adolescence and early adulthood, but ultimately Jo is able to overcome these vices with the help of moral guidance given to her from her family and upbringing so that she matures into a humble, charitable, and temperate character, far more mature than the fiery character of her youth.
The first instance of Jo's vices getting the best of her is when she remains angry at Amy for burning her manuscript even after Amy apologizes. The next day Jo does not warn Amy about the thin ice when they go ice skating, saying "no matter whether she heard or not, let her take care of herself" (Alcott 145). Subsequently, Amy falls into the freezing water and Jo finally realizes that her "bitter temper" had gotten the best of her, to the point that her sister almost died. Luckily, Jo still tries to lead a moral life...
At this point the story reveals the source of moral inspiration for the main characters, because Jo finds guidance by looking to her family, and specifically her
parents. Her
mother encourages Jo that "we all have our temptations, some far greater than yours, and it often takes us all our lives to conquer them," and uses herself as an example of someone who has led a moral life through hard work and
prayer (Alcott 147-148). This allows Jo to realize that although she struggles, she is not an immoral person to the core, and thus has hope of leading the kind of life she strives for.
A good example of Jo overcoming her vices out of a sense of charity and generosity can be found when her mother must
travel to visit their injured father. Seeking a way to contribute to the cause, Jo cuts all of her
hair off and sells it, saying that "it will be good for my vanity, I getting too proud of my wig" (Alcott 306). Although Jo does eventually mourn the loss of her hair a little bit, she demonstrates a humility and dedication to charity only made possible by her desire to lead a moral life even in the face of her own…
