One of the benefits of reading literature is that it reminds us of hope during times of darkness and despair. Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women presents a good example of this by showing how love and respect toward one another can sustain our lives in the toughest moments. The book follows the lives of four sisters, Meg, Joe, Beth, and Amy, through the American Civil War. This essay will examine what literature reveals about hope in dark times.
The March family originally belonged to the wealthy class of society, but the family’s fortune had declined because they did a lot of good deeds around them. Even though in poverty, they still show no loss of humanity or warmth. Moreover, they are often portrayed as imperfect but full of love and passion for growth. For instance, to help her family, Meg teaches children, and Joe takes care of her aunt. In the book, the March family is described as a deeply religious family, which has influenced their motto of appreciating what they have. After seeing the March sisters trying to help the destitute neighbor, the wealthy Lawrence family in the neighborhood send gifts on Christmas and build a connection with each other, and they spend the frigid winter merrily. It shows that there is hope for those who show kindness even in a miserable war.
The sisters also go through personal obstacles. Beth was born with a delicate physique, which caused her to die at an early age. Meg is reflected as the most mature, feminine sibling, but she easily compares herself to other wealthy ladies her age and attempts to fake herself. This can be effortlessly found when Meg goes to parties or social gatherings. Joe At that time, it was a challenging thing for women to publish their books, and she refused to be evaluated by a standard named ‘womanly.’ She also shortens her original name, Josephine, into Joe. Amy is the only one who goes to school, where she is often ignored by other girls for her family’s financial hardship. She also frequently encounters conflicts with Joe, who has the opposite personality. Of course, the four siblings do not always show model behaviors. But every time they feel lost, their Marmee and people around them offer a helping hand, and they manage to get along well in tough times.
Everyone goes through hard times, and literature helps us overcome them. As the saying goes, history repeats itself, and the story of the book overlaps with ourselves. Therefore, we admire classics and languages in the age of technology and science. Little Women tells us that no matter how miserable and painful life seems, the end comes, and hope is given equally to everyone.