The Role of Women in
19th Century America
Little Women focuses on a family's life, particularly the role
of women in 19th century America. In a time when social norms were extremely
challenging for women, it was nearly impossible to exist independently of men
in the sharply defined roles dictated by Victorian society. A prominent feature
in the literature of this period is that if we are discussing a female
protagonist, she must inevitably get married. Looking at the works of
significant authors like Thomas Hardy and Charlotte Brontë, we see that female
characters cannot exist independently of men. Despite their efforts to assert
their individuality, they often make mistakes and face punishment as a result.
Although the subject matter differs, the protagonist of Thomas Hardy’s Far
From the Madding Crowd similarly portrays a woman striving to exist on her
own. Bathsheba despises being seen as a man’s possession, yet she ultimately
realizes that this is unavoidable. Victorian society presents a very clear role
for women: upon reaching marrying age, women should marry and bear children
without being slaves to their desires or wishes. This societal expectation,
defined as the “Angel in the House,” is heavily reflected even in literary
works. In the film Little Women, we see Jo’s resistance to this mindset
as she attempts to shape her own life.
Independence and
Identity: Jo’s Struggle
Jo is someone who strives
to live independently, free from anyone's shadow. Her greatest passion is
writing, and unlike the women of her time, she seeks to develop herself
professionally and exist without finding a partner. Although Laurie, the
grandson of her neighbor, loves her deeply, Jo does not allow this affection to
interfere with their friendship. Laurie, who is enamored with Jo's unique
stance against the clichés of their era, believes she is the only person he
wants to spend his life with. Jo, who sets aside all expectations and thoughts,
never wavers from pursuing her goals. She has infinite love for her sisters and
is always ready to do anything for them. Despite the conflicts with Amy, they
still care for one another. The story’s most innocent and gentle character,
Beth, will ultimately face the tragic fate that often befalls characters in
classic novels of the period. In these stories, characters who are kind and
gentle towards society often die to enhance the dramatic structure of the narrative,
which reflects the message that they must become stronger to survive in
society.
Jo’s Rebellion Against
Societal Norms
While discussing marriage
with her mother, Jo expresses her views: “Women have hearts as well as minds
and souls; they possess passions and talents as much as they do beauty. I’m
tired of people saying that women are only suitable for love.” Since her mother
is very supportive and stands by her daughters no matter what, societal
pressure on Jo is somewhat alleviated. The motivation for the sisters to
support each other forever only makes each of them stronger. Towards the end of
the film, when Jo goes to discuss her book with a publisher, the conversation
encapsulates the entire essence of the era. The publisher insists that if the
protagonist is a female character, she must inevitably get married in the end.
Although Jo disagrees with this, she still desires for her character to connect
with the world. In writing her own story, Jo ultimately crafts a different
ending for her character at the publisher's request. This situation reflects
the circumstances of writers of the time: female characters in stories either
get married or face tragic ends for not doing so. A resolution where Jo neither
marries nor realizes her dreams is not seen as acceptable in society, and it is
clear that society is not ready for such a narrative. Women who do not know
that such a path exists may view it as a fantasy rather than a realistic story.
For them, self-fulfillment is not about pursuing dreams, but about becoming a
wife or a mother, as the only reality reflected to them since childhood has
been to create a family. Those who fail to establish a family are directed
toward narratives filled with horrific tales of the dire consequences they
face.
Greta Gerwig's remarkable
acting followed by her successful directing is truly commendable. Having made a
name for herself with her direction in Lady Bird, Greta has taken her
cinematic vision a step further with this film. By bringing a highly successful
story to life, she continues to progress confidently in her directing career,
moving forward with both her outstanding acting and her captivating directorial
achievements.
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