滨江学院本科生毕业论文（设计）
The Study of Jo in Little Women from the Prospective of
Feminism
Contents
1.Introduction (5)
2.Literature Review (5)
2.1 Definition and Features of F eminism (6)
2.2Relevant Studies of Jo’s Feminism in Little Women (6)
3. A comprehensive analysis of feminism on Jo in Little Women (8)
3.1 Pursuit of F reedom (8)
3.2 Demand of True Love (10)
3.3 Desire for I ndependence (11)
3.4 Embodiment of Equality (13)
4. Enlightenment of feminism embodied in Jo in modern times (15)
4.1 Modern Expression of Feminism in P rofessions (15)
4.2 Modern Expression of Feminism in Marriage L ife (16)
5. Conclusion (18)
References (19)
Acknowledgements (20)
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从《小妇人》中分析乔的女权主义
摘要：《小妇人》由美国作家露易莎·梅·奥尔科特所著，她是美国文学史上最突出的作家之一，也被认为是以为女权主义者。《小妇人》是她最成功最著名的作品。《小妇人》是一部以美国南北战争为背景，以19世纪美国新英格兰地区的一个普通家庭四个姐妹之间的生活琐事。此小说与1868年出版后受到了极大的关注。本文旨在通过分析《小妇人》分中的女性乔，阐述奥尔科特的女权主义观点。这个观点在主人公乔的身上体现的淋漓尽致。乔，酷爱写作与阅读，独立勇敢。不甘心做一个家庭主妇，选择自己喜欢的工作-写作，厌恶社会无理的要求--女性权力不及男性。本文分别从自由，爱情，平等，独立四个角度，分析乔的女权主义思想。并结合现代社会，剖析乔这种女权主义在现代社会中的意义。
关键词：《小妇人》; 乔; 女权主义
The Study of Jo in Little Women from the
Prospective of Feminism
Director：Wu Sufang
（College of Foreign Languages, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou,
Zhejiang, 310053）
Abstract: Little Women is written by an American author, Louisa May Alcott, who is one of the most prominent writers in American literature as well as a feminist. Little Women is one of the most successful and famous works of hers. It is a novel which is set in the Civil War, and based on the four sisters’ family life in New England in the USA in the 19th century. It received a lot of attention when it published. This thesis is aimed at analyzing Jo in the Little Women to state the point of Louisa May Alcott’s concept of feminism. This view is reflected incisively and vividly on
the heroin Jo. Jo, who has a passion for writing and reading and her characters are independent and brave. She is not content to be a housewife and chooses her favorite job—writing. Disliking the unreasonable request of the society—women’s power is less than men’s. The article is written respectively from four perspectives—freedom, love, equality and independence to analyze of Jo’s feminism ideas. And combining with the modern society, it dissects the significance of Jo’s feminism in modern society.
Keywords: Little Women; Jo; feminism
The Study of Jo in Little Women from the Prospective of
Feminism
1. Introduction
Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832, the second daughter of Amos Bronson and Abigail Abba May Alcott. She was raised in Concord, Massachusetts, a small town to the north of Boston that was home to many great writers of the day.
Little Women is a novel published in 1868 and written by American author Louisa May Alcott. The story concerns the lives and loves of four sisters growing up during the American Civil War. It is based on Alcott's own experiences as a child in Concord, Massachusetts with her three sisters, Anna, May, and Elizabeth. The novel tells of their progress into young womanhood with the additional strains of romance. It is a story of their growing maturity and wisdom and the search for the contentedness of family life.
In this situation, the paper tends to analyze the pursuit for freedom and demand of true love, embodiment of equality, and desire for independent personality and independent rights to make special analysis of feminism on Jo in English. In doing so, the readers might have a deep understanding of the feminism.
2. Literature Review
Little Woman, one of the classics of American literature, was written by American woman——Louisa May Alcott. Woman in the 19th century were still limited to traditional opinions that they were opposed to belong to the family, obey their husbands’ orders .They could not have the chance to compete equally with men in many fields of society. However, Louisa May Alcott did not look upon herself as the adjunct of the men. She was determined to break the fetters on the women, and tried to choose a profession to make a living on her way through this rough and tumble world. Hence, there is no doubt that Little Women occupies an essential position in the history of American literature in the 19th century.
2.1 Definition and Features of Feminism
As to the meaning of feminism: “most people think ‘feminism’ is about equality of the sexes, and activism to achieve equality of women”. (Johnson, 2011, p30) This theory is called: “Socialist feminism and was used increasingly during the 1970s to describe a mixed theoretical and practical method to achieving women’s equality. In addition, this theory analyzed the relation between the oppression of women and other oppression in society.” (Linda, 2011, p22)
In the Cambridge dictionary, the definition of feminism is the belief that women should be allowed the same rights as men and be treated in the same way, but also when it is used to describe a man that means the behavior of man is similar to women. “According to MS magazine, feminism sounds like a negative word for most women. T hey don’t like it or use it”. (Karol, 2011, p28) However, a very interesting article which is from Men in Feminism said: “some men seem to be interested in Feminism; they prefer to acquire more knowledge of it and encourage more of them to realize that feminism benefits everyone.”(Lizzie, 2003, p19) Therefore, to some extent, the readers can find that males and females still have different attitudes to this word.
For the features of feminism, the first one is to stress women’s gender
differences and their expression in literary texts and texts interpretation, that is, gender poetics and gender reading. Secondly, it puts emphasis on the expression of gender symbol difference, advocating women’s discourse and maternal instinct discourse. Besides, it establishes women’s equality of political rights on the basis of female social difference and discourse difference.
2.2Relevant Studies of Jo’s Feminism in Little Wome
There are many scholars who throw some light on the feminist interpretation of Litter Women.
Although the book is filled with submissive women who are content with domestic life, a great deal of feminist attention concentrates o n women’s influences on men. For example, in “The Influence of Little Women”, Carolyn Heilbrun argues that the fascination Little Women holds lies less in Jo’s ease in adopting male manners and behavior , than in the facility with which her whole family restructures itself on a female pattern.(Kress,1997,p23)
G. K. Chesterton noted that in Little Women, Alcott "anticipated realism by twenty or thirty years," and that Fritz's proposal to Jo, and her acceptance, "is one of the really human things in human literature."(Fritz, 1987, p67)Gregory S. Jackson argued that Alcott's use of realism belongs to the American Protestant pedagogical tradition that includes a range of religious literary traditions with which Alcott was familiar. (Jackson, 2009, p14) The nineteenth-century images he produces of devotional guides for children provides an interesting background for the game of "playing pilgrim" that, in part, comprises Book One's plot structure. Elbert argued that Little Women did not “belittle women’s fiction" and that Alcott stayed true to her “Romantic birthright.”( Sarah，1987，p11)
As we all known, Jo is the representative of Louisa May Alcott in the Little Women, so in “Closing the Garret Door: A Feminist Reading of Little Women”, scholars Deborah Thacker and Jean Well mention that the women writer’s place has been marginalized and consigned as “the attic” (Thacker & Well,1989，p3) the room of her own where a woman could express and liberate herself undisturbed. In
Little Women Louisa May Alcott playfully enabled her girls’ readers to look within her inner room, her center of repressed imagination.
The heroine Jo is a unique woman in this book. Her unconventional opinions and deeds differ much from her sisters. The first chapter talks about Jo’ process of forming the sense of self-identity. It consists of four parts in self-shaping, self-reflection, self-fulfillment and self-control. The second chapter details about Jo’ sense of responsibility to play four different roles in her life. As a new woman, she flourishes personality. The third chapter discusses Jo’s equality thoughts, and her struggle to get her properly rights.
Based on the summaries of the previous researches, naturally, a new woman in Alcott’s Little Women should independent, self-identity and self-denial; a new woman should have her ability, and create her career; a new woman should live an equal life with her husband; the combination if family life and independent existence can open various probability for a new woman’ individual development. 3. A comprehensive analysis of feminism on Jo in Little Women
3.1 Pursuit of freedom
From the ancient period to modern society, all the people are seeking freedom, no matter what the person is man or woman, old or young. The author of Little Woman—Louise May Alcott who also wants to own freedom. In her famous novel Little Woman, through the main actor—Jo express the pursuit of freedom.
Jo is a girl who wants to be a boy. “I wish I was a boy,” s ays Jo. “Then I could go and fight beside father.” (Alcott, 1987, p38) Jo wants to escape from the full dress and puts on the uniform to fight beside her father. Meg always says to Jo in this way, “You’ve been running, haven’t you? Jo, when will you start to behave like a young lady?”(Alcott, 1987, p98)Although at that time, every girl want to behave like a young lady, Jo behaves like a boy. For her perspective, a boy can do many things that the girls also can do, such as skating and then talking about the skating with them. She never fells shy to play with boys. She believes that boys possess freedom
and they can do everything they want to do. In the book, Jo does many things which can only be done by boys.
The reason why Jo stood out can be best illustrated by her characteristic. It is her characteristic that makes her different from all the other girls in the family. Unlike other girls who behave like quite water, Jo was neither soft nor gentle. She is just like a vigorous flame giving endless happiness.
In the beginning of the book, she claims that:
“I hate to think I’ve got to grow up and be Miss March, and wear long
gowns, and look as prim as a China Aster. It’s bad enough to be a girl, any
way when I like boy’s games and work and manners. I can’t get over my
disappointment in not being a boy, and it’s worse than ever now, for I’m
dying to go and fight with papa, and I can only stay at home and knit like a
poky old woman.”(Alcott, 1987, p43)
Jo also likes literature, both reading and writing them. She composes plays for sisters to perform and writes stories that published. She imitates Shakespeare, and when she doesn’t need to d o chores, she reads a book in a corner of the attic, or outside, completely absorbs a good book. She also says: “Not being a genius, like Keats, it won’t kill me…when I am ready, I will up again…”Jo is not the oldest daughter in the family, but she put herself in the position of the man of the family when her father is absence. She devotes her literature works to support the family. When her father is hurt during the war, she cuts her lovely, sick, long hair to help her mother to look after her father. She says: “I just want to do something for father, and selling my hair was the only thing I could think of doing.”(Alcott, 1987, p105) Because of her character –boyish, Jo has intense equality thoughts, and her struggle to get her properly rights. When she is young, her unique behaviors express her desire to break the fetters on the women. Her choices of career stand for her dreams of being equal as men. She does not obey the traditional view on marriage to find a rich husband, but establishes her love on an equal base. On work, Jo has achieved her dream and become a writer. In life, she is not the only one to do the
housework and her husband will also undertake it. For example, her husband prepares the cakes for dinner and look after their children. Jo also appeals to the equality of, so do she and her husband. Though she returns home, Jo gives a new definition of new women that the combination of career and family is the best home for a new woman.
At the same time, she is a girl who has the courage to pursuit her ideals. She believes that a new circumstance has advantages for her writing; she follows to New York to teach children, or sometime stays in the bookroom to read books to absorb new knowledge. She accepts new things and comes being into new ideas.
All of her characteristics and her behaviors show that she pursuits of freedom and doesn’t care about others’ vision. She just does the things she wants to do, not bind by secular.
3.2Demand of true love
As a girl, Joy is lucky because of a boy, Laurie, who loves her; as a little woman, Joy is beatific because of a man, Bhaer, who loves her; as a mature lady, Jo is felicific because of a gentleman, Bhaer, her husband.
As a female, Jo knows clearly that she is going for a true love rather than a rich life.
Most people who read the Litter Woman always think that Jo ought to marry Laurie, who is her childhood sweetheart and has a happy marriage with Jo. However, it is unbelievable that she turns down his offer and gets married with Professor Bhaer, an old, poor man. A host of people take the view that Jo is foolish for she has done, but Jo is certainly understand what she really needs than anyone else.
For Laurie
Jo’s fell in love with Laurie at the first sight of Laurie and the true love is pretty pure and beautiful. Without a doubt that she loves Laurie, and many
mothers are willing to small Mr. Laurie becomes her son-in-law, but when she finds Laurie is like guileless elegant girl, don't mention how happy she is.
Actually, Laurie loves her, but Jo has a sober understanding of the differences between them:
“I'm homely and awkward and odd and old, and you'd be ashamed of me,
and we should quarrel—we can't help it even now, you see and I shouldn't
like elegant society and you would, and you'd hate my scribbling, and I
couldn't get on without it, and we should be unhappy, and wish we hadn't
done it, and everything would be horrid!" (Alcott, 1987, P278)
Jo realizes that they are not suited to one another, although they are too much alike and too fond of freedom.
After Jo refusing Laurie, Jo knows that would never come again because he leaves her without a look. And Jo decides to cut off the relationship, because it’s impossible for people to make themselves love other people and she does not believe that is the right sort of love and would rather not try. In addition, she can not accept marry Laurie only for a fine mistress for fine house.
For Professor Bhaer
Professor Bhaer who comes from Berlin is well-educated, but poor as a church mouse, and gives lessons to support him. A t Mrs. Kirke’ h ouse, Bhaer leaves a favorable impression to Jo, but at that time, Jo does not love him, she just thinks he is interested.
As time goes by, Jo is addicted to love him. His patience, ability, wise, knowledge even his dress is attracted her much more. This time she apparently knows her own heart when she comes to a little message written in the Professor's hand, and she sets looking at the friendly words: "Wait for me, my friend. I may be a little late, but I shall surely come", “as they took a new meaning, and touched a tender spot in her heart”. (Alcott, 1987, P334)
These words take a new meaning, and touch a tender spot in her heart. Then, the Professor visits her family and they confess sincere love to each other in the end.
For the love with Professor, Jo has confirmed her firm attitude to him:
"I'm glad you are poor. I couldn't bear a rich husband," said Jo decidedly,
adding in a softer tone, don't fear poverty. I've known it long enough to lose
my dread and be happy working for those I love, and don't call yourself old
forty is the prime of life. I couldn't help loving you if you were seventy!"
(Alcott, 1987, P368)
They get married, have two children and even found a school. Yes, Jo is a
very happy woman there, in spite of hard work, much anxiety, and a
perpetual racket. She also says "I don't think I ever ought to call myself
`unlucky Jo' again, when my greatest wish has been so beautifully gratified.”
(Alcott, 1987, P374)
Married with a professor can not only give Jo an abundance life style, but Jo gains her happiness. She is a true lucky woman.
3.3 Desire for independence
With the vigorous development of the American feminist, American emerges a large number of women who spare no efforts to campaigning for women’s rights. In Little Women, the author Louisa May Alcotthe uses a special lady, Jo, who owns independent thoughts and distinguished behavior to expound Feminism.
Jo has a strong desire for independence; firstly, her characteristic is presented by unique thoughts.
In the first place, in Little Women,the biggest characteristic of Jo is self-renewal independence; she isn’t an ideal image of fair child in her childhood. When Jo turns to be a little girl, she just plays with boys and even wants to be a boy. She changes her feminine name to a masculine name "Jo". Because of her firm mind, as a result, she fails to be a traditional woman in fact. While hearing that her father needs to go to the frontline, she forces herself as a leader of the four sisters. In order to reduce her mother’s pressure and support the family, Jo work s for Aunt March who likes complaining a lot.
Jo and her other sisters build up Pickwick Club and Postbox which almost is
not allowed by women limited by time. But Jo does not bow her own life to cater to the traditional customs. Instead, she is more reluctant to restrain her hobbies to conformity with social norms.
In the second place, when the day of darkness is coming, Jo does not flinch, but bravely enough to face terrible things. After hearing the bad news that her father suffers from a disease severely, all of the family numbers have already gave up all hopes except Jo. Jo struggles against difficulties intrepidly and obviously has realized that her father needs a great quantity of money to go through the serious disorder. Hence, she sacrifices herself, cutting her hair for 25dollars. How surprise it is. As far as we are known, during that time, woman’s appearance meant for everything.
In chapter 29, the obvious evident can be proved that Jo is a new–style women. Jo says,
“I do like them, and I shall be one if I can, for in spite of the laughing the
world
would never get on without them. We can't agree about that for you belong to
the old set, and I to the new. Y ou will get on the best, but I shall have the
liveliest time of it. I should rather enjoy the brickbats and hooting, I
think.”(Alcott, 1987,P227）
From the passage, we find that Jo is a woman who has own consciousness, with the spirit of independence. In depressive female space she rushes out of the bondage of tradition, doing the things which the majority of women couldn’t reach at that tim e. What’s more, she pa ys more attention to freedom and independence. In the early 19th century American feminists think that men and women should be equal, women should depend on herself and had own job.
From the above narrations, Jo has independent thoughts; we also need to give several reasons to prove Jo’s distinguished behavior.
Frankly speaking, Jo is a lucky girl that she lives in a warm family, the family members are all kind-heart. Once Jo makes up her mind to write articles, none of
her family says no. And when Jo’s first work is published, not only her parents but also her other sisters support her with all their hearts. Each of them pride of her, it is her strongest power to stick to writing. Once Jo wants to go out and finds a job to raise the family, they all respect her choice.
Although Jo finally gets married, having equal state with her husband, she shares the family obligation with her husband and plays a significant important role between him. The manor Jo inherits from Aunt March is transformed into a school where poor children also have the opportunity to study. At last, Jo not only makes plenty awards in writing but also achieves remarkable fame in education system.
3.4 The embodiment of Equality
Jo March is the second daughter of Mrs. March. She loves writing, dreaming of being a famous writer and making money to have her family live a better life. She is a unique woman. Her unconventional opinions and deeds differ much from her contemporary women. At that time, girls are taught to be ideal women who look upon her husbands and children as the whole meaning of life. Jo, however, has the strong sense of self-identity, dares to break the fetters imposed on her by the society and arranges her life according to her own will. She looks like a boy, and reacts with impatience to the many limitations placed on women and girls. This character has a deep influence on her demand of equality.
When Jo is a little child, she's a tomboyish, hot-tempered girl. She loves activity and can't bear to be left on the sidelines; it drives her crazy that she can't go and fight in the Civil War alongside her father. Instead, Jo has to stay at home and try to help her family, which is extremely difficult for her. She's so boyish that Mr. March has referred to her as his "son Jo" in the past, and her best friend Laurie sometimes calls her "my dear fellow. There are many vital moments in the book in which Jo acts with a strong will like a man. One of the moments happened in chapter three：
“But Jo, who didn't care much for girls or girlish gossip, stood about, with
flower garden, Half a dozen jovial lads were talking about skates in another
part of the room, and she longed to go and join them, for skating was one of
the joys of her life.” (Alcott, 1987, p35)
She looks herself as a boy, she aspires to be a successful writer so that she can earn money by writing to support her family as well as keep financial independence. She also longs for the equality of men and women.
First, in her perspective, women and men are equal in everything. Women should stand up and play various roles in the society, also has a job, and can also achieve their dreams; they will be on the material and spiritual equality, self-respect, self-confidence.
"You've a nice accent and in time will be a clever reader. I advise you to
learn, for German is a valuable accomplishment to teachers. I must look
after Grace, she is romping." And Miss Kate strolled away, adding to herself
with a shrug, "I didn't come to chaperone a governess, though she is young
an d pretty. What odd people these” Yankees are. I'm afraid Laurie will be
quite spoiled among them." （Alcott, 1987, p167)
This speech perfectly delivering the nature of Jo wants to be best in her job-writer and she tries her best to do it. Jo is the only one of the four girls who braves and challenges the oppressive and restrictive true womanhood, she alone exhibits the spirit of equality and unconventionality. So Jo has achieved her dream and become a writer.
Second, wife and husband are equal at home. Jo does not obey the traditional view on marriage to find a rich husband, but establishes her love on an equal base. On their marriage life, she is not the only one to do the housework, her husband will also undertake it, such as her husband will prepare the cake for dinner and look after their children. Because of the equality of wife and husband, Jo and professor have a better marriage life as well as being respectful with each other.
4.Enlightenment of feminism embodied in Jo in modern times
To sum up all these textual analysis above, we are sure you will have a clear
and comprehensive understanding of Feminism embodied in Jo in Little Women. Based on these remarkable features of feminism as is pointed out in chapter three, this chapter will make a further study of the enlightenment of feminism embodied in Jo in modern times in the following aspects: professions, marriage life.
4.1 Modern expression of feminism in professions
It is due to the first surge of Feminism from 1880 to 1920 putting "new women" onto the stage of history which makes a big sensation in the world and marks the beginning of a new era in the feminist movement to live out the true meaning of the creed:" All men are created equal"(Jefferson,1776,p1). And it also served as the social foundation of manage to create the story about the Little Women. Just imagine how terrible the world be if we would still live in the period of Vitoria that women are settled to be imprisoned for family life, playing a social provision for female role as an understanding wife and loving mother without appropriate education, basic freedom, equal statue and other fundamental rights.
Influenced greatly by spirit of feminism embodied in the typical "new women" Jo, the majority of the women nowadays are bravely enough to get beyond the restriction of traditional ideas which women rely heavily on her man both in finance and daily life to choose the profession what they really like and develop the consciousness of independence and justice in career. It is Jo who sets a positive and powerful model to encourage thousands of women to walk out of the kitchen to search for their own values or pursue their careers. Thanks to it, there are 90 percents of modern women earn their own living according to China Daily. At the same t ime, the experience of Jo’s realizing her dream to become a professional writer also makes significant reference to modern women how to stick to their ideals as well as principles and how to overcome various of difficulties in pursuing their own careers.
Compared with the acquisitive society at present, in which many people try to look for a shortcut to fame and fortune losing their principles, what Jo has done teach us a lesson which worth admiring and deep thinking. Although the society is
reality brutal survival of the fittest, it not means that we should give in to the darkness abandoning our love for just, hope, and dream.
Jo gives modern women an impressive lesson that no matter what sort of environment, they should try their best to be strong-minded and independent and never give up frighting for their dreams as well as individual values.
As a matter of fact, with the development of the society, the government pays much attention to women and there is a series of authority policies having been put forward which plays an important role in guaranteeing women’s rights in position. For example, according to article 11 in Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, it reads that state organs, public organizations, enterprises and institutions must in appointing cadres, adhere to the principle of equality between men and women, and attach importance to the training and selection of female cadres for leading posts.
With the long-term stru ggle for the women’s inter ests and the progress of the civilization, nowadays women are not as weak as in the past but grow up as independent and thoughtful individuals.
4.2 Modern expression of feminism in marriage life
Marriage life will never be outdating in human beings’ life for its great importance in people’s relationships. What people can learn according to Jo is how a woman seeks economic independence, struggles for love and equality in the marriage life and keeps the balance between family life and her own career. Its in-depth exploration of a strong female character's feeling and her assuming responsibility for the whole family deeply impress us.
Though currently the quality of life of both urban and rural residents have been improved a lot, the anxious and restlessness of marriage is filled in the frail modern time. By the latest investigation, the marriage problem emerged one after another has been the largest contributor to the decline of citizens’ sensation of happiness. So this case keeps showing its unique charm and both literature and
actual values in guiding the modern people how to keep calm and handle various contradiction in reason, especially in how to keep the balance between work and family. Jo shows vividly how she struggles between the ideal and realty, how to analysis rationally which life style is suitable for her and how to force her to become a determined woman being able to facing the complex environment and makes the toughest decision in family life in the aspect of putting the general interest first.
Having gained a great enlightenment from Jo’s positive feminism, the modern women and men are working out a new concept of marriage, an ideal often called “companionate marriage”(In this relationship, husband and wife perceived each other as equals, sharing joys and responsibilities in a partnership）(). The characteristics of this new type of marriage, replacing the patriarchal marriage of the former centuries, were more private, more affectionate, and less authoritarian. And both husband and wife support the family with equal work together. The couples are willing to share the housework, even the baby-sitting. The new ideal of marriage life is one based on sympathy, affection, friendship, and mutual obligation, as opposed to the hierarchical mode of traditional marriage.
With the development of the society, changing attitudes among middle-class women have found expression in gradually shifting ideas in marriages. Many women welcome the new female commitment to independence and self-sufficiency. They want to live their life to its fullest. They want adventures, excitement and mystery. (Li, 2010, p15) They want to see, to know, and to experience.
Today a woman is freely to choose what kind of man she loves and which man she wants to get married. If she finds their marriage life is not happy, she can divorce her husband with the legal protection. And latter she can get married with other man who makes her happy. As for widow, life is more freedom. If she loses her husband, she just needs to wear mourning dress during the mourning period. And after the mourning period, she can take part in all kinds of activities and get married with the second husband, the third husband even more.
People know that marriage is based on love. The analysis shows that modern
women are the masters of their happy lives and marriage lives. Whether women live in happy ones or not is totally depending on women themselves, because they have rights to choose marriage life they prefer.
3. Conclusion
We analyzed the heroine Jo’Feminism in the novel from these four parts: freedom, true love, independence and equality, and then pointed out the enlightenment of feminism embodied in Jo in modern times accordingly. Although the girl was born in a poor family, she had the positive attitude to any matters. The novel laid emphasis on her individuality and dignity, but also displayed her self-expression restraint. She always kept discovering her own shortcomings and corrected them as soon as possible. As Jo grew older, our beloved protagonist tamed her tomboyish ways and learned to be more ladylike while pursuing her ambition to be a great writer. From the above, now each girl should learn from their advantages and have the positive attitude to any matter so as to make our character perfect and our life more wonderful.
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