The March sisters of Louisa May Alcott‘s Little Women search for autonomy in the ability to make their own decisions in place of seeking pure independence. In-class discussions focused more on independence as meaning self-reliance. However, among many other topics, this is a novel about strong relationships that involve dependence on one another. Independence in the context of our day is not the independence that the March sisters seek; they do not hope to move out of their family home to live self-sufficient lives. Rather, they desire the ability to make their own unique choices in regard to their lives while relying on one another.
Additionally, Marmee desires for her children to live their own lives, giving them the ability to make mistakes and learn, as seen in Amy’s failed party. The narrator notes that “experience was an excellent teacher...she left her children to learn alone the lessons which she would have gladly made easier, if they had not objected to taking advice as much as they did” (259). Noting the value of learning from mistakes, Marmee does not demand submission from her girls; she encourages them to grow as people. Another example of her desire for her daughters to choose to grow is Chapter 11 when the young women learn the importance of hard work rather than receive a simple reprimand for their prior laziness.
The March girls do not seek independence in the modern sense of the word. They do not seek to live self-sufficient lives; rather, they desire the autonomy to build the lives they choose, all of them involving reliance on a chosen few. Meg chooses to become financially reliant on Mr. Brooke, overcoming her vice of longing for the finer things in life (although she occasionally caves into her opulent desires, such as in purchasing an expensive fabric, she works to remedy her mistake). Jo, noted in class for her independence, desires for her family to remain together, resenting the thought of her siblings marrying. She desires to be financially supportive of her family, unlike many women of the time, however she is emotionally dependent on them. This does not detract from her autonomy; Jo maintains a very independent mind, if her heart is less so. Amy chooses Laurie, who serves as an example of the proper way to be wealthy. Beth, though ill, chooses to be of use and always kind to those around her. These different priorities were not forced upon them; they were opinions held by the girls and acted upon. The ability to decide the outcome of their lives for themselves is the goal of the March sisters, whether it is viewed as autonomy or independence (or the two as one and the same).
It is true that the March sisters do not seek independence in the modern sense. They see relying on each other for guidance and emotional support to be a virtue rather than a lack of autonomy. However, the book does acknowledge the financial element of independence as well as the ability to decide one’s own fate. For example, in chapter 14 after Jo publishes her first story Jo feels, “to be independent, and earn the praise of those she loved, were the dearest wishes of her heart.” This feeling of independence didn’t come from the ability to choose to write stories, as she has been doing this for some time without mentioning feeling independent. Rather, it is the fact that she can earn money for this and may one day “be able to support myself and help the girls.” It is financial autonomy that Jo acknowledges as the root of independence.
ReplyDeleteThis correlation between independence and earnings occurs elsewhere in the story. In chapter 12 when Mr. Brooke is defending Meg’s occupation as a governess to Miss Kate he says, “Young ladies in America love independence as much as their ancestors did, and are admired and respected for supporting themselves.” It is clear that he considers her to be independent specifically because she can support herself financially.