The newest film adaptation of Louisa Alcott's 'Little Women' is directed by Greta Gerwig, and has captured the hearts of both new and old readers. What makes it different from the 1994 version starring Winona Ryder and Christian Bale, is how it captures woman's humanity. Gerwig does this through Jo's character and through the parallel between Jo and Alcott.

In the film, Jo is presented the same ultimatum that Alcott faced: she must marry off her main female character or else her work will not be published. This tells us that Jo is a rarity of her time, and her opposition to marriage will be her greatest challenge.

All of the March sisters are given their time in the spotlight in Gerwig's version, especially Amy March. Meg pursues the traditional route and wants for a family and loving marriage. She even tells Jo that despite her wish is different from Jo's, it is still important. Amy sees marriage as an economic proposition, due to women's status in society as second class citizens. Yet, her ambition for greatness in her field remains.

All of these women have different views towards marriage, and about what their goals are in life. Jo, in her monologue during her conversation with her mother, says that women are more than creatures of love, capable of having ambition and minds and souls. She then says, "But I'm so lonely". In this moment, Gerwig shows us Jo is more than her tomboyish, ambitious archetype. She has a heart as well as a mind, and yearns for companionship, for the love from her family and friends. Even if she loved Laurie, could she have given him a marriage, especially during the late 1800s?

Women are neither monsters for pursuing their career nor are they angels for having a family. They are human. Marmie herself says she is "angry nearly every day of her life", proving that women are allowed to have emotions.

Gerwig emphasized at every turn that you do not need to be a Meg, a Jo, an Amy, a Beth, or even a Marmie. You can be all of these women at once and want and despise all of their lives at once.

Women are human.