My Muse
I fell in love with the book Little Women. It spoke to me. I identified with Jo. This book described my character, drive, ambitions, perceptions of the world, need for freedom, and love of books. Louisa May Alcott taught me I must fight for my independence. Little Women motivated me to keep reading. I was going to find the answers to life’s purpose through reading. The search was on. With each new book I read, I learned how complicated life and relationships can be, and I could not escape complications--most manufactured by me.
Looking back, I am shocked that my daughter did not read Little Women. Why? I never bought the book for her or gave her the cherished copy that my mom gave me. It stayed on my bookshelf. I regret this. Different books defined her cohort. Harry Potter took over. Still, I now realize I made a mistake. If I bought her the book now, would she read it? Could I ask her to listen to it on Audible? Has she seen any movie version?
Little Women is called a coming-of-age book. Particular Place and People fits that description, too. Alcott wrote Little Women in 1868 and 1869. A hundred years later, the same themes were instrumental in my decisions. Career and independence guided my life decisions. I wouldn’t say I liked Jo’s choice for a spouse. Initially, she did not marry in the book. Her publisher explained if she wanted to sell books, she needed to end the book in Jo’s marriage. What would adolescent girls have thought if Jo did not marry? We all wanted her to marry Laurie Lawrence. Since that did not happen, why would we want her to marry? The ending disappointed me. Alcott's Jo succumbed to society's pressures and the convenience of marriage because adolescent girls wanted what they believed was a happy ending.
A new book of essays by Louisa May Alcott, A Strange Life, was recently published in Britain. This thin hardback book with a blue cloth cover and a red ribbon attached to use as a bookmark preludes Alcott’s thoughts that became Little Women. There is a charming chapter, “My Boys”. These boys she describes may become one boy, the character Laurie Lawrence. She ends this chapter by writing:
“If [love] never comes, then . . . reject the shadow of it, for that can never satisfy a hungry heart. Do not be ashamed to own the truth – do not be daunted by the fear of ridicule and loneliness, nor saddened by the loss. Be true to yourselves, cherish whatever talent you possess, and in using it faithfully for the good of others, you will most assuredly find happiness for yourself, and make of life no failure, but a beautiful success.”
I want women to read the above paragraph. It may give courage to say no to a proposal from an overly ambiguous suitor, that is not loved by the woman. It may give courage to a woman who needs to leave a marriage. True love means helping a spouse or partner become the best that person can be. It means encouraging a person to reach goals. Remember the film Phenomenon? John Travolta bought Kyra Sedgwick’s homemade chairs to show his love.
Being with a loved one is the place one wants to be.