revue the March sisters perform. And as the novel progresses, one cannot help but wonder if this same

sentiment does indeed echo throughout the novel, as male characters are conspicuously absent while all the

pivotal parts are played by the women characters.

This gender imbalance -- in that there are more female characters than male in Little Women -- is

especially obvious when male authority figures such as Mr March and Mr Lawrence are markedly absent

for most of the novel. When they do appear, they are in need of love and care from the women. Mr

Lawrence, who is nursing a broken heart over the death of his daughter, is healed by Beth's gentle manners,

while Mr March's broken constitution is nursed back to health by his loving wife and daughters.

The only male character who appears prominently in Little Women is Laurie, who, although the richest and

most eligible bachelor for miles, is drawn to the motherly smile and warmth of the little cottage, despite the

luxuries of his mansion next door. John Brooke, Laurie¹s tutor and Meg¹s husband, too, is drawn to the

celebrates the Good Mother, a role played by Marmee and her four daughters. The Good Mother figure, as

duties, and was prone to going on extended trips without his family. Bronson Alcott deserted his family for

Women when the March sisters decide to take a vacation from housework. The result: a messy house, a

"That's my contribution towards making Father comfortable, and bringing him home!"

life is thereafter measured as somebody¹s wife and mother.

contact with the outside world. Not for them the cloistered world of the nunnery, they are adventurous and

noteworthy at this point, that it is the man who needs the comfort of the woman, and that it is a woman¹s

governess, seamstress, writer, artist or actress. With the absence of a father in the house, womanhood -- and

-- albeit cultured -- professor. Therefore, Aunt March's legacy has "made all sorts of joyful things possible."

Some common words found in the essay are:
Little Women, Abba Alcott, Professor Bhaer's, Aunt March, Marmee Meg, Women March, Bronson Alcott, Aunt March's, Hannah Mullet, March Lawrence, little women, male characters, strong male, mother figure, strong male characters, alcott grew, women¹s rights, rights alcott, march sisters, female characters, -- particular, women¹s rights alcott, male little women,
Approximate Word count = 1815
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)