The Light Of The New Women An Analysis On The Growing Process Of Jo In Little Women

Little Women, one of the classics of American literature, was written by an American woman ---- Louisa May Alcott. Women in the 19th century were still limited to traditional opinions that they should belong to the family, obey their husbands'orders and nurture the children. 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 own. Louisa wrote,"...I will make a battering-ram of my head and make my way through this rough and tumble world" (Stern,1984)In 1862, Alcott wrote Little Women according to her childhood memory. In this book, Alcott described herself as Jo and her sisters as Meg, Beth and Amy. The sisters' independent outlooks on life encourage generation by generation. The heroine Jo is a unique woman. Her unconventional opinions and deeds differ much from her contemporary women. At that time, girls were taught to be ideal women who looked upon her husbands and children as the whole meaning of life. A Victorian woman's ideal life existed in her family. 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 aspires to be a successful writer. She also earns money by writing to support her family as well as keep financial independence.This thesis intends to study the protagonist Jo's process of becoming a new woman. It analyses Jo's campaign against the fetters of the conventional society and her journey of pursuing self--identity and independence, and reveals how she opens a way to her writing career. It also shows her viewpoint on the equality in love and marriage life. From the above analysis, it gives one of the definitions of a new woman.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. Born as a girl, Jo is always breaking the traditional thoughts. She has her dream of becoming a useful person in the society rather than a common housewife. She longs to behave as a boy, protect her family, and take part in boys'activities enthusiastically. She also chooses writing rather than sewing to be one of her hobbies, combines personal development with normal family life, supports her family by her writing ability. But on the other hand, she has to control her born bad temper, learns to be tolerant and patient from self-reflection. By sparking the full development of her potential, she gradually turns into a modern career woman.The second chapter details about Jo's sense of responsibility to play four different roles in her life. She works early to decrease the family's burden, helps her sisters to do housework, protects her younger sisters and teaches them. She has the spirits of devotions and sacrifices to her family. She is a dutiful daughter, a considerate sister, a loyal wife and a worthy individual in the society. As a new woman, she flourishes the traditional women's roles, but not to abandon her responsibilities for the sake of publishing personality.The third chapter discusses Jo's equality thoughts, and her struggle to get her properly rights. When 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. 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.Through the above analysis, this paper may at least claim the following conclusions:a new woman in Alcott's Little Women should be 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 of family life and independent existence can open various probability for a new woman's individual development. In this sense, little women are also great women.