I read little women for the first time when I was in 9th grade. I remember really liking the book, but when I heard they were making a movie, I decided to reread it. To put it simply, it brought me to tears, made me smile, and lifted my spirits. I've always been such a believer in girl power, and I think this novel/film is the epitome of just that. Each of the March daughters represents a very different type of woman, but the book never portrays any of them as being any lesser. They all lead different lives and long for different journeys, but they all share a deep, unwavering bond of sisterhood. And not the faux pas sisterhood they talk about in teen romance novels or celebrity magazines. I mean honest, real relationships that illustrates the darkness and light that comes with life. It's a stunning work, and I think the film might be just as good, if not, better than Alcott's original. (Here's an analysis of each March sister)

First, there's Beth. She's demure, modest, kind, gentle, and peace-seeking. She has a keen ear for music and feels comfort in caring for her family. Her dream is simply to give to those she loves, often serving as glue for the March family. She serves as a perfect foil to her closest sister and confidante, Jo. Her death takes an enormous toll on the family, and they are all changed by her parting. She's the perfect image of a traditional woman which is typical of this time. Her goodness is truly unmatched.

Next, there's Meg, the eldest sister of the family. When she was young, Meg wanted nothing more than for the family to be wealthy and for her father to be home. She longs for luxury and chases after any material items she can get. She always focused on order and social standards, forcing a false sense of propriety on her reluctant sisters. As she grows, however, Meg realizes that there's much more to this life than money. She even married a man with hardly a cent to his name, demonstrating her character growth. She turns out to be rather humble and giving as she ages out of adolescence. Her transition into motherhood and marriage is a personal narrative that generations of women can relate to.

Next, we have Amy. I'll start by saying that I hated Amy the first time I read this book. She was conceited, histrionic, and petty. She also quarreled with Jo often, my favorite character at the time. Perhaps it was a combination of Florence Pugh's brilliant portrayal and Greta Gerwig's modern twist that made me so drawn to Amy in the film, but either way, I was impressed. She's pragmatic, ambitious, hard-working, and strong-willed. In their childhood, there are still large remnants of her dramatic behavior as evidence by her burning of Jo's book and throwing fits when things don't go her way, but the film gives a sort of justification to it. She's always felt inferior to Jo, in the family and especially with Laurie. Its lead her to act out so she can feel seen and heard in the way she perceives her sister being seen and heard. Later, when Amy is studying art in France and has agreed to marry a man for money, Laurie disapproves. Amy retaliates with a practical, raw speech about the realities of being a woman and the economic implications of marriage. She's developed into an independent, determined woman who wants to change the world and be nothing short of the best. She is finally able to feel some power in her life when she, not Jo, marries Laurie. The film's new depiction of Amy is honestly refreshing, and I think Florence Pugh embodies a form of feminine identity I admire (much to my surprise)

Lastly, we have Jo. I remember connecting to Jo a lot when I read this as a freshman. I've changed and grown up a lot now, but Jo reminds me of how I was in middle school. Jo has some issues with anger and patience, but she tries her best to learn from Beth and Marmee to be better in that way. She's also bright, fiercely loyal, and persistent in caring for her loved ones, as evidenced by her fight for Beth. Her idea of feminism is eschewing from everything that girls are expected to be. Not wearing super fancy clothes, playing with the boys, liking sports, rejecting romantic relationships. She thinks it's her responsibility to fill in as head of the family in her father's absence, and she's determined to make her own way in the world. This is exactly how I was when I was younger. I believed I had to be what society saw as " masculine" to be considered strong and respectable, but that's not how it should be. You can have love and still be successful, but you also don't have to. In the end of the film, she confesses her love to Baehr, publishes her book, and opens a school for girls. It's a picturesque ending to Jo's story, one readers and watchers couldn't help but root for.

Overall, this story is a beautiful adaptation with contemporary, feminist undertones. It depicts the intricacies and hardships of womanhood all while remaining faithful to showing its joys. It depicts just how important it is for women to establish solidarity, and where better than within the confines of biological sisterhood? This piece will steal your heart, break it, and restore it all in a single swoop. So, if you haven't seen this film or read this book, I can't recommend it enough.