In class on the 24th, we discussed the meaning of
the word “earnest” and how the March sisters did or did not embody earnestness.
Some words, read from Miriam-Webster online, in the definition of earnest
included “seriousness,” “showing sincere and intense feeling or conviction,”
and “lacking playfulness.” It is evident on multiple occasions in the book that
these traits of earnestness are praised and reinforced, while a lack of
earnestness was frowned upon. What, however, is a lack of earnestness?
According to this definition, one may say frivolity is the opposite of
earnestness, but in looking at the phrase “showing intense conviction,” there
could also be an argument made that laziness is the opposite of earnestness.
Both laziness and frivolity lead to bad outcomes in the book, reinforcing that
these are not desired traits in adults of the time. In Chapter 11, titled
Experiments, the girls decide to fully enjoy their holiday by doing none of
their schoolwork or housework. This laziness is condemned when all the sisters become
extremely bored, and a beloved pet bird dies as a result. Alcott even goes as
far as to say that laziness is evil, when she says that “Satan found plenty of
mischief for the idle hands to do,” (110). Frivolity is equally shamed. For
example, when Meg rebukes Jo when she finds her running with Laurie, having
stripped off her hat and hair pins in Chapter 14. “You have been running, Jo;
how could you? When will you stop
such romping ways?” (153) Meg chastises her.
Both of these examples come from the beginning of the book,
when the little women may still consider themselves children (perhaps with the
exception Meg). Toward the end of the book, the lesson comes full circle when
the sisters have become women. As Laurie and Jo are discussing their
relationship with one another, they realize that they have lost their playful
nature and now have become earnest adults. “We are man and woman now, with
sober work to do, for play-time is over, and we must give up frolicking,” (445)
Jo says, using very similar phrases as the dictionary did in the definition of
earnestness. Little Women is suggesting to its readers that earnestness is a
sign of growing up, and to become respectable, mature adults, all must acquire
it.
I think your response and continuation of the “earnest discussion” was interesting and I do agree with most of it. Throughout Little Women, I believe the concept and importance of being earnest is always focused on and is synonymous with maturing.
ReplyDeleteI think that Alcott challenges the perfect ideal of every single child being “earnest” by having the daughters struggle, find their flaws, grow from them and become earnest with age. I do think that the opposite of earnestness in the novel is immaturity, however, as portrayed mainly through Jo, rather than frivolity which is more of a sin and desire.
In the middle of the novel in the chapter titled Calls, Amy hopes, “...her sister [Jo] would not be found in any position which should bring disgrace upon the name March” (288). Amy, although younger than Jo, has always been more proper, and mature than Jo who is described as playful, and wild. This contrast shows the difference in which the girls are growing up and how Amy shows these signs of being earnest unlike Jo.
I liked the way you showed the earnest theme throughout the whole novel as I feel it does show a progression in each character highlighting how earnestness is associated with maturity. Towards the end of the novel, in speaking with Meg, Jo claims, “...marriage is an excellent thing, after all. I wonder if I should blossom out half as well as you have, if I tried it.” (419). While Jo hasn’t matured fully at this point yet, she has grown and doesn’t talk about marriage as she used to claiming she’ll be an “old maid”. Jo is definitely a character that I feel Alcott uses as the progression of earnestness throughout one’s growing up.