When you think of Little Women, it’s hard not to immediately picture the March girls—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—who practically leap off the page with their personalities. Whether you’ve read the book a dozen times or watched the most recent Greta Gerwig adaptation, these four sisters stick with you.
Why? Because Louisa May Alcott didn’t just write a book about girls growing up during the American Civil War; she wrote about real people, with real emotions and ambitions, and that’s what makes Little Women feel so timeless. The March sisters feel like they could be our best friends, our actual sisters, or even…well, us.
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In this post, we’re going to dive into each of the main characters of this beloved classic, one by one, and see what makes them tick. Whether it’s Meg’s longing for a fancy life, Jo’s fiery independence, Beth’s quiet strength, or Amy’s flair for the dramatic, there’s so much to love (and sometimes get frustrated by!) with these characters. So, let’s take a closer look at what makes each sister so special and why all types of bookworms have been loving them for over 150 years.
If you need to freshen up on the details of this beautiful story, we have a summary right here!
Beware, there will be spoilers ahead!
Let’s start with the eldest of the March sisters, Meg or Margaret March. If you’re looking for someone who’s got her head on straight (most of the time), that’s Meg. She’s sweet, dutiful, and has a natural grace about her that sets her apart from her more rebellious sisters. Meg remembers the days when the March family had money, and it’s left her with a soft spot for luxury. While she works as a governess for the King family, she dreams of fancy dresses, grand houses, and a life filled with comfort. She envies her wealthier friends, like Sallie Gardiner and Annie Moffat, who live the life Meg secretly longs for.
But this longing for material wealth is Meg’s biggest flaw. At one point, she allows her friends to dress her up for a party in a way that feels completely out of character—extravagant clothes, makeup, jewelry, and even showing more skin than she’s comfortable with. It’s a moment where she tries to be someone she’s not. She soon realizes that the fancy life isn’t for her, and from that point on, she becomes more comfortable with the simple life she leads.
When Meg falls in love with Laurie’s tutor, Mr. Brooke, she chooses love over wealth. John Brooke is a hardworking, modest man—nothing like the rich suitor she once imagined. But with John, Meg finds real happiness, even if it means making do with less. They marry, and Meg soon becomes the mother of twins, Demi and Daisy. Life as a wife and mother is challenging, and Meg has to learn that love and partnership are what truly matter—not fancy parties or grand houses.
In the end, Meg learns to let go of her desire for luxury, realizing that true wealth comes from the love and happiness she shares with her family. She might not have riches, but her life is rich in all the ways that count.
Now on to everyone’s favorite rebel—Josephine “Jo” March. Jo is the heart and fire of Little Women. At fifteen, she’s a tomboy bursting with energy and independence, always pushing against the expectations of her time. She hates the limitations placed on women in the 19th century—she wants to be in the thick of things, fighting in the Civil War with her father instead of stuck at home. Even her name, Josephine, feels too feminine for her; she’s Jo—blunt, messy, opinionated, and unladylike in the best way—much to Aunt March’s horror.
Jo’s love of books and writing gives her an escape from her domestic duties. She dreams of being a great author, spending hours curled up reading Shakespeare or writing her own plays and stories. Marriage is the last thing on her mind; she fears it’ll separate her from her sisters, especially from Beth, with whom she shares a deep, quiet bond. Jo idolizes Beth’s goodness, and Beth’s death becomes a turning point for Jo, teaching her the value of home and the quiet, steady love that holds a family together.
As Jo grows older and watches her sisters begin to carve out their own lives, she becomes restless. Eager to make her own way, she takes a bold step and moves to New York, where she works as a governess at Mrs. Kirke’s boarding house. This move is monumental for Jo—it’s the first time she’s truly independent, living away from home and experiencing the world on her own terms. New York opens Jo’s eyes to new possibilities, but it’s also here that she faces her first real professional struggles. She begins writing sensationalist stories to sell to tabloids, thinking it’s a way to support her family financially. However, it’s during her time in New York that she meets Professor Friedrich Bhaer, an older, intellectual German scholar who critiques her work and encourages her to write with more substance. This advice stings at first, but it leads Jo to dig deeper into her talent and consider a different, more meaningful path in her writing.
Jo’s close friendship with Laurie, the charming boy next door, has everyone convinced they’ll end up together. But when Laurie finally proposes, Jo turns him down. She loves him, but not romantically. It’s a bold, heartbreaking move, but one that stays true to Jo’s independent spirit. Laurie later marries Amy, and while this surprises readers, Jo never looks back.
Instead, Jo finds love where no one expected—with Professor Bhaer. Their relationship is built on respect, shared values, and a deep connection, rather than passion or appearances. For Jo, marrying Frederick Bhaer is less about romance and more about finding a true partner who supports her dreams.
Through it all, Jo’s passion for writing never fades. She begins her career selling dramatic stories but eventually finds her voice in more personal, reflective writing. In the end, Jo fulfills both her ambitions and her domestic duties by returning to Massachusetts and opening a school for boys in Plumfield, blending her love for literature with the nurturing spirit she inherited from Beth.
Jo March is the ultimate rebel, a young woman who refuses to be boxed in by society’s expectations. Her journey is one of self-discovery, showing that it’s possible to stay true to yourself while still embracing love and family on your own terms.
Elizabeth “Beth” March is the gentle soul of the March family, embodying quiet strength, kindness, and an almost angelic presence. She’s content with her simple life at home, never seeking the adventures or ambitions her sisters crave. Shy and unassuming, Beth finds happiness in making those around her comfortable, whether it’s caring for her sisters, her dolls, or her beloved cats. Unlike Meg and Jo, who dream of wealth and success, Beth has no grand aspirations and is happiest surrounded by her family.
Her love for music is her only real passion, and even this seems tied to something beyond the material world. Beth spends her days playing hymns on the family’s old piano, finding peace in the melodies. Her deep connection to music touches the March family’s wealthy neighbor, Mr. Laurence, who gifts her his late granddaughter’s piano. This gift marks a special bond between Beth and Mr. Laurence, and in many ways foreshadows her fate. Like his granddaughter, Beth seems too pure, too fragile, for the world.
Beth’s story takes a tragic turn when she contracts scarlet fever while caring for the Hummels, a poor family she regularly visits. Though she survives the illness, her health never fully recovers, and her frailty only deepens as the novel progresses. Unlike her sisters, Beth doesn’t dream of marriage or adventure; instead, she accepts her fate with a calm, almost spiritual grace. Her quiet acceptance of her illness and eventual death is heartbreaking, but it feels fitting for a character who seems more connected to heaven than to the everyday world.
What makes Beth truly memorable is the impact she has on her family, particularly on Jo. As Beth’s health declines, Jo becomes her primary caregiver and, in doing so, learns to appreciate the quiet strength in domestic life. Beth’s selflessness and love inspire Jo to take on more responsibility and care for their parents, even after Beth is gone.
Though Beth leaves the world quietly, her influence lingers, much like the music she played. She might not have had big dreams, but her simple, gentle presence remains the emotional heart of Little Women, showing that sometimes the greatest strength lies in kindness, patience, and love.
Ah, Amy March—the youngest of the March sisters and perhaps the one who changes the most throughout the novel. At first, she can seem a bit spoiled, a little self-centered, and very concerned with appearances. She’s the sister with the big artistic dreams and an even bigger desire for refinement and wealth. But as we watch her grow, Amy transforms from the vain, somewhat bratty youngest sister into a sophisticated, thoughtful woman who learns to balance her ambition with her heart.
When we first meet Amy, she’s the picture of a girl who wants nothing more than to be seen as proper and elegant. Her desire to be "ladylike" leads her to some funny moments—like when she uses big, fancy words, not really knowing what they mean, or worries about the shape of her nose. Let’s be real—young Amy is sometimes more concerned with keeping up appearances than being truly kind or considerate. For example, she burns Jo’s manuscript in a fit of anger after Jo refuses to take her to the theater, one of those "I can’t believe you just did that!" moments. But to Amy’s credit, she does feel guilty afterward and works hard to mend her relationship with Jo.
Over time, Amy matures. Her ambition shifts from simply wanting wealth and social standing to focusing on her art and improving herself. Her artistic talent becomes a central part of her character, and she dreams of being a great painter, someone who will be remembered. When she gets the chance to go to Europe with Aunt Carroll, it’s a huge moment for her. Though Jo originally wanted the trip, Amy gets chosen because of her “ladylike” manners—a choice that makes a lot more sense by this point in the story, as Amy has grown into a much more poised and polished young woman.
It’s during her time in Europe that Amy undergoes her biggest transformation. She reconnects with Laurie, who’s nursing a broken heart after Jo turned down his proposal. But instead of being the same bratty little girl Laurie once knew, Amy calls him out on his laziness and self-pity, pushing him to be better. She shows a surprising amount of wisdom and strength, and this marks the moment when readers see just how much Amy has grown. She no longer just wants to marry for money or status—she wants a true partnership, and she finds that with Laurie. When they fall in love and marry, it’s clear they’ve both matured into people who complement each other perfectly.
But even after her marriage to Laurie, Amy’s ambitions don’t fade away. She continues to care about art and her role in society, but she also shows a newfound sense of responsibility and compassion. After losing her sister Beth, she becomes more aware of the importance of family and the need to do good in the world. She and Laurie even talk about using their wealth to help those less fortunate—a far cry from the younger Amy, who was once fixated on material things.
In the end, Amy’s journey is one of the most dramatic in the novel. She goes from being a somewhat superficial girl to a woman of depth and substance. Her love of beauty and refinement never fades, but she learns to use her talents and position for something greater than herself. Amy may start off as the sister who seems a bit vain, but she blossoms into someone who values love, family, and making a positive impact on the world around her.
Laurie, or Theodore Laurence, is the classic “boy next door”—rich, handsome, and full of charm. He quickly bonds with Jo over their shared mischievous energy, and their friendship is central to the early parts of the story. He loves spending time with the March family, who give him the warmth and sense of belonging that’s missing from his own home.
Though Laurie seems carefree, he’s a bit lost, struggling to find his purpose. Laurie’s grandfather—a benevolent old man—wants him to focus on his studies, but Laurie dreams of a life filled with music and freedom. It’s Jo who encourages him to pursue his passions. However, when Laurie falls in love with Jo and proposes, she heartbreakingly turns him down. This rejection sends Laurie into a spiral of frustration and aimlessness.
Everything changes when Laurie reconnects with Amy in France. She’s matured, and instead of letting Laurie wallow in self-pity, she pushes him to grow up and find new purpose. Eventually, they fall in love and marry, with Laurie becoming more serious and grounded.
By the end, Laurie transforms from the playful, heartbroken boy to a responsible, loving husband and father, finding happiness with Amy—and finally discovering the man he’s meant to be.
Marmee—or Margaret March—is the beloved matriarch of the March family and the glue that holds everything together. She’s wise, patient, and endlessly loving, guiding her daughters with quiet strength and compassion. Despite the family’s struggles with poverty and the absence of Mr. March, who is off serving as a chaplain in the Union Army in the Civil War, Marmee never lets her daughters feel neglected or unloved.
What makes Marmee so special is her ability to balance being both a moral compass and a safe harbor for her girls. She teaches them the importance of kindness, humility, and selflessness, often by example. Whether it’s encouraging the sisters to give their Christmas breakfast to the poor Hummel family or helping Jo manage her fiery temper, Marmee always knows the right thing to say.
Even though she appears endlessly calm, Marmee admits at one point that she, too, struggles with her own anger. This vulnerability makes her feel real and relatable, reminding her daughters (and us) that even the strongest people have their own internal battles. She’s not just the perfect mother figure—Marmee is a woman with her own struggles, who quietly endures and carries her family through difficult times.
The reason Little Women still feels so fresh is that these characters and their struggles are timeless. We all know what it’s like to wrestle with big dreams, family expectations, or figuring out who we are—just like the March sisters.
It’s hard not to fall in love with the March family. Their story reminds us how precious family bonds are, even when life gets messy. So, here’s to the March sisters—and to another century of readers who’ll continue to laugh, cry, and grow alongside them.
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Many readers, both when Little Women was first published and today, expect Jo and Laurie to end up together. They have such a strong bond and share a playful, best-friend dynamic. However, Jo never saw Laurie as a romantic partner. She loves him deeply, but more like a brother than a potential husband.
Yes, Jo March is largely based on Louisa May Alcott. Jo reflects many aspects of Alcott’s own life, including her strong-willed, independent nature and her passion for writing. Like Jo, Alcott grew up in a financially struggling family and was close to her sisters. Both women were frustrated by the societal limitations placed on women and pursued their dreams despite those challenges.
While Jo eventually marries Professor Bhaer in Little Women, Alcott never married in real life. In fact, Alcott was reluctant to marry off Jo but felt pressured by readers and publishers to do so. Much like Jo, Alcott valued her independence and lived her life focused on her career as a writer.
First and foremost, Nina is a reader; she devours literature with gusto, from classic novels to contemporary poetry to graphic novels and everything in between. She believes that within each story, there's a universe waiting to be explored, and loves exploring with company. She's often found sharing her perspective on characters, plot twists, and literary themes with friends. When her friends get tired of listening to her ranting, she writes blog posts sharing her explorations with the other bookworms of the internet. In recent years she has developed an inexplicable addiction to matcha lattes, but has asked us not to talk about that.
