Throughout the book, Jo is often critical and skeptical about marriage, saying that she
will always be the spinster of the family. Each March daughter has strong opinions of their own about this sacred union, but by the time they become "Little Wives" their views have changed, and they all have healthy relationships with honorable men. I think that if Meg, Jo, and Amy looked back on how they have changed, they should remember the values of their mother had about marriage that remained constant as they grew up. When asked about the subject of marriage, Marmee always imparts the qualities she wants her daughters to have, as well as their husbands to have.
At the beginning of the story, her wisdom is not always directed at Jo (usually, Meg), but Jo is always in the background, listening and storing Marmee's words in the back of her head for later. Marmee says, "To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman; and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience...I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace...Poverty seldom daunts a sincere lover." (p.152) Marmee is teaching her girls to not be ashamed of their class status, while also encouraging them to fall in love with whomever they please, even if he is also poor.
Later on, Jo is worried about Mr. Brooke marrying Meg because of his humble background. Again, Marmee reinforces her beliefs by stating that Meg "will be rich in the possession of a good man's heart, and that is better than a fortune." (p. 320) It seems as though her ears often fall on deaf ears, and need to be repeated - as the struggle of wanting to be wealthy
and well-taken care of is a constant theme in this story. Meg is the first to finally internalize this,
by marrying Mr. Brooke despite initial doubts, and learning to manage money and run a
household without much extra help. It is not evident at that point that Jo is softening her opinion
on marriage, but then she meets the Professor, who is also impoverished, and falls for him. In the
end, Marmee has successfully raised women that didn't compromise what they wanted to find a
husband, even if their husbands ended up not being well-off. "Little Women" is the perfect
example of happiness mattering more than wealth, and that a house is not a home without love.
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