The Analysis of The Main Characters

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3.3 The Analysis of The Main Characters

The central or main character in this novel are Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March and their mother Mrs. March Called Marmee. Meg As the oldest of the girls, Meg is mature and mother-like from the beginning of the story. Their poverty state is difficult for her to endure because she is old enough to remember when they had all the money they needed and were able to enjoy some of the luxuries of the monied classes. She complains wistfully on occasion, but never within her mother’s hearing. While she is nearly always ladylike and dependable, she is capable of forgetting responsibilities as she does when her mother goes to Washington and Beth becomes sick. She is also a bit too critical of herself; although she indulges in a little wild partying during her stay at the Moffats, she certainly doesn’t behave any worse than any of the other girls. It seems worse because the shallow flirtation and silliness is not really a part of her character and is therefore not expected from her by either the reader or the other characters. Jo is the focal character of the novel and is the character in whom LMA visualized herself. She is frank and down to earth, but has a quick temper and acts impulsively. She is also quick to apologize and the first to make peace in the event of any rivalry. Her emotions are intense and honest, although in her own mind one emotion she is not interested in is romantic love. She is an easy friend because she is undemanding and quick to give of herself. However, her blunt nature also causes her trouble because she doesn’t always stop to think that it might not be wise to express her opinions or feelings in every situation. Jo feels the impact of 21 events and situations so keenly that she sometimes feels as if she has the greatest burden of the entire family. Her first love is for her family and her initial goal is to keep her sisters, parents and closest friends near at hand for her entire life. She eventually realizes that her dream is impossible and unfair to her sisters Amy begins the story as a self-centered child who thinks primarily of the benefit to herself even when she does something good for other people. She is a little rebellious and doesn’t take her education too seriously-hence her problems with grammar and spelling- but she is very bright and shows an ability to do whatever she sets her mind to. As she matures, she learns to think of other people first, something her father notices immediately when he returns from the hospital in Washington. Her self-centeredness transforms into an innate knowledge of a behavior that will impress the right people and acquire the things she desires without much effort on her part. In spite of their financial situation, Amy learns early to conduct herself with class. She never has the tomboy wildness of Jo, but neither is she a snob. She wants friends among the wealthy, so she emulates the expected behaviors but does it in a way that gains many friends. She does learn the hard way that friendship with the wealthy is sometimes a one way street, and the girls that seem to be her pals in the art school ignore her invitation to pursue a longer lasting friendship outside of school Beth is almost a minor character, except that she is so important to her own family and to the Laurences. Her family’s adoration of her contributes to her development more than anything she does on her own. Also, for a short time she 22 fills a gap in the life of Mr. Laurence who lost a granddaughter much like her. She is quiet, devoted to her parents, committed to household chores and performing kindnesses to others, and is incredibly shy, a flaw that Laurie and Mr. Laurence help her to overcome. Her primary purpose is to bring out the best in other characters. Thus she finds the gentleness in Mr. Laurence and has a calming influence on her sisters, especially Jo. Mrs. March is a flat character in the story although she is a major one. She is the only character who never seems to make a mistake, who seems to have learned everything life has to offer and lives only to pass her wisdom on to her children. Nevertheless, she is not a nagging or preaching Mom. She seldom offers advice until the girls ask, and she generally finds lessons in their own experiences. She doesn’t work outside the home but spends a great deal of time visiting all of the sick and needy in the community. She is a presence and a voice more than a person as there is not even a clear description of her appearance in the book. She is diminished as an individual but exerts a clear influence over her daughters as they seek to live up to her expectations. Few growing children in real life appreciate their mothers to the extent that the March sisters do.

3.4 Supporting Character