Reading Response: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

    In Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, four sisters and their mother live a simple, yet enjoyable life. They are not very wealthy, but find happiness within each other. They find strength within each other, they look after one another, and they even show each other their unity.
    The four sisters do many things together and spend quality time with each other. They are always in their family room, knitting. They formed a group out of them four, they called it the Pickwick Club. They made a small newspaper "to which they all contributed to" (Alcott 154). They also learn to get along quite well as Alcott said the girls' tastes "differed as much as their character" (153). 
    They all look after each other, even if they are upset at each other. They will put anything aside to help one another. Even though Jo was upset at Amy for ruining a very prized possession of Jo's, she felt bad for letting Amy get hurt. She was "looking remorsefully at [Amy's] golden head (Alcott 121). 
     They try to incorporate others in their family time. Their next door neighbor, Laurie, was very lonely.JO wanted to let her sisters and herself keep him company. She told him "We are not strangers, we are neighbors, and you needn't think you'd be a bother" (Alcott 63).
    They sit in their family room and are satisfied with talking to one another. They don't need expensive items. Although they wish they had them, they are far more grateful for their family and friends.

What inner and outer conflicts arise in the transition from childhood to adulthood?

    In my opinion, one main issue that comes up is wanting to rebel and not follow rules. We want to grow up so quickly, and when we finally do get there, it's overrated to us. everyone wants to be independent in one way or another at a point in their life. We just need to realize that our family is always going to be there for us, and at this time, they are the ones we tend to neglect the most.
   In my lifetime, there is going to be so many things I am going through that my parents have already experienced. But I don't think I will ever learn to listen to them. It's sad how most of us don't. We don't give our parents enough credit for having experienced everything we have. But the truth is, someday I want to be as strong and wise as my parents.