Little Women Redux

TORDA'S SPRING 2023 TEACHING SITE

Little Women Redux

9/23/2022

Rather than a Teaching Discussion this week . . .

This week we are reading the classic text Little Women. I like to start the semester with this a as first novel for a few reasons, not the least of which being that as young girl, I read and re-read this book (the sequels Little Men and Jo's Boys). It was my Harry Potter. I was obsessed.

But what I think is worthwhile to notice is how many themes, characters, dramas (in the teenager angst kind of drama way) for a book written over 140 years ago are remarkably familiar. One might argue that's what makes it literature with a capital "L". At the same time, as many of you will most likely point out, there are some aspects of the story and characters that we might see as dated (the language, corsets, etc). There are a lot of ways we could explore these timeless and universal themes as well what no longer resonates, but I've opted to encourage you to do so rather creatively.

If you were going to update Little Women, how might you do it? Post to CLASS DISCUSSION BOARD (link is live). In 300 words, provide a synopsis of your 2022 version of the classic Little Women. RESPOND in 200 words to at least one of your colleagues by either building on their update idea and/or suggesting why you think, as a reader or a teacher, this would work as an update (or wouldn’t).

43 Comments

Sydney Blair

9/25/2022 12:17:13 pm

Set in the 1860s, Little Women meets many of the expectations and assumptions that one may have about life in the 1860s, especially for women. Author Louisa May Alcott wrote and based this story around many of real events and people she has encountered in her own life. Meaning, that the time period is portrayed pretty accurately. However, the year is now 2022 and there are many changes that could be made to help readers today relate to this class classic tale even more. Although this has always been one of my favorite novels, if given the opportunity to do so, I would make a few changes when creating a 2022 version. At first I thought about changing the letters the girls write to their father be turned into video calls, but I feel like the idea of the letter, the anticipation of getting it, and not being able to see one another adds so much heart and depth into the story. Because I decided against modernizing these two ideas, I decided to focus on some of the things I don’t love about this story. Now I know that Beth’s death is a huge part of the story, however, if I were to modernize it I would make it so Beth did not die from Scarlett fever, and instead was healed by the advanced medicine and technology we have today. The next change I would make would be the way Laurie reacted when Jo declined his proposal. I understand that Laurie had strong feelings for Jo, but at the end of the day they were always friends. During the time the book takes place it was probably less common for a woman to turn down such a gesture. However, Laurie knew Jo better than anyone and should have known what Jo’s response would have been. Instead of running off to Europe he should have understood a bit more where Jo was coming from. If I were to re-write Little Women, I would make it so Laurie has a conversation with Jo about their relationship and their potential future, rather than just dumping an engagement on her. I feel as though open communication is such an important aspect of a relationship, whether it be friendship or romantic, and that this idea is something that is only recently embraced. I also wish that Jo’s passions were better accepted by others. Although her family was supportive, Jo was never taken seriously as a writer because she was a woman. In a 2022 version, I would have more people advocate for Jo. Even though women still struggle when finding acceptance into the work force, they are much more respected than when this book was written. These things that I would change are only to make it more modernized to today’s time. But I struggled finding things that needed to change because I feel that every part of this story strengthens it.

Megan Moore

9/26/2022 05:44:18 am

Hi Sydney, I agree with you that it's hard finding things to change in this novel. Changing the dynamic between Jo and Laurie when it comes to his proposal is an interesting take on that scene. I remember thinking it was strange even as a child that Laurie was so insistent on marrying Jo when it was clear she was not interested. There's a line that Laurie says to Jo when she leaves for New York about her not being able to change his feelings towards even though she wants to. I find this to be a bit off-putting. I know that if a friend said that to me, I would certainly not find it romantic! Changing this scene would add a new maturity to Laurie's character. I think it would be a better indication of how he's growing up than we see with his trip to Europe.
I also agree that it would be interesting for Beth to not die in a modern version of the novel. Scarlet fever in particular is an illness that's relatively easy to cure nowadays. I wonder how this would change the dynamic of the story, however. I think that Beth's death is an important moment of development for the other characters and a show of how truly selfless Beth is. I think that Beth surviving her illness would be an element of the story I would need to see to gauge how it affects the overall heart of "Little Women." Overall, I really like the direction you took the story and would be interested to see this version of "Little Women" either written out or as a movie.

Adam J Fernandes

9/26/2022 02:01:41 am

I know my response is brief, however, Little Women is well crafted. Aside from updating some language to match our speaking patterns, there's nothing I would change.

Megan Moore

9/26/2022 05:15:57 am

"Little Women" is one of my favorite novels, so I think one can guess why I'm hesitant to make changes to it. In my opinion, modernized adaptations of the novel often miss the special spark that makes the novel what it is. Though the themes are universal, I believe that the time period the novel is set in adds a certain heart to the story.
If I were to make changes however, I have a few ideas. The first and most obvious is that I would remove the passing racist remarks and caricatures used in the novel. Though I don't think older novels should be censored, a 2022 version of this story certainly would not contain these racist ideologies.
The second major change I would make is to remove some of the more sermon-like passages. Being Protestant is important to the March family, however some of the discussions of religion feel like Alcott is preaching at her readers. I think there needs to be a balance between characters discussing their religious beliefs and the author trying to impose a religion on the reader.
The third and perhaps most drastic change I would make is to have Jo stay single. I feel that her relationship with Mr. Bhaer is forced and was only written to please Alcott's publisher, as is discussed in "Who Are Your Heroes?". Jo's character arc is centered around her desire for freedom and independence, with the ultimate realization that family and helping others is more important than trying to do everything on your own. In my opinion, the natural conclusion to this arc is for Jo to maintain a relationship with her family, and open her own school. My apologies to Mr. Bhaer, but he doesn't make the cut.
If the story were to be completely set in 2022, I think that it would be interesting for the March sisters to have been adopted or fostered by Mr. and Mrs. March. I think this change would add a new dimension to the importance of family in the novel. I also believe that Beth should have some sort of chronic illness, rather than scarlet fever. As Sydney wrote in her post, Beth could be saved by modern medicine. For example, if Beth had a condition such as cystic fibrosis, there could still be the fear of her becoming gravely ill without her untimely death. While major themes and events of the novel would remain largely unchanged in my 2022 version of the story, I would change some smaller character details. Mr. Brooks would be only two-three years older than Laurie; a college student hired to tutor the young Mr. Lawrence. Meg would become a full time nanny after finishing high school, while Jo attends college for creative writing but drops out after Beth falls ill again. I also think that instead of supporting troops in the Civil War, Mr. March could be a FEMA volunteer helping to rebuild a coastal community after a hurricane. I'm not sure if this 2022 adaptation would preserve the heart of the novel, but it would be an interesting adaptation for sure.

Jenivieve

9/26/2022 12:23:06 pm

Hi there Megan,

I also mentioned in my post that this assignment although wonderful, was a little challenging for me since I find the charm of its historical roots to be part of what makes it so great.

You bring up a great point about the racist remarks that appear in the text. Depending on what you chose to do for this updated version, there may still be the theme of racial tension. For example, in my story version I suggest that the family be an immigrant family. In this version there could be racist remarks that the girls experience, and particularly an area that Jo may need some advice on how to deal with properly. I do agree though that the kind of racism that is present in Little Women would not make the cut for today's classrooms.

You make a great connection to the article "Who are Your Heroes", when you suggest that perhaps Jo's marriage could have been something Alcott's publisher enforced. This would make sense considering the time of publishing, and validates the major feminist struggle that can be seen in the text. I also mentioned that in a more modern version I would not have Beth die, but instead have her suffer from a chronic illness that more people are familiar with. This way the girls in the story can still learn a lesson about what should be valued in life, such as health.

I really like your idea of the girls in the story being fostered or adopted by the Marchs. I think that teaching this in a 2022 classroom would make for a more relatable story that accounts for all kinds of families. I agree that this twist could show the importance of family love despite relatedness.

Great post!

Lucienne Quirk

9/27/2022 05:27:46 pm

Hi Megan,

I can tell through your writing how much it pains you to change a book you truly love-- but if it makes you feel better, I think all of your changes are wonderful! The sensitivity you have to social and political issues within Little Women shows that you can enjoy a work of art while also noticing its flaws. In a modern version of the story, I totally see how a more progressive and egalitarian use of language could bring the text into the 21st century. If the four sisters are altruists, they should of course be aware of race relations. I also think that making the ages of the husbands and wives in a newer version closer would also appeal much more to an audience who generally takes the thought of marrying one's tutor or professor as, in short, kind of gross! You are a lot like Alcott, in the sense that you are considering the expectations and desires of your audience in your revision process :)

Meaghan Cook

9/26/2022 06:28:41 am

For this assignment, I have the advantage of never having read Little Women prior to this class. Therefore, I was able to read it for the first time with this specific assignment in mind, and many things jumped out at me as I read.

In the context of a 2022 retelling, many of the major themes, settings, and conflicts would be changed. For example, the March sisters’ lives would not revolve around housework, jobs, or finding ‘suitable’ matches for marriage.

Meg wouldn’t be under so much pressure from Aunt March to marry rich in order to provide for her family. The novel would send her away to college, on the path to becoming a teacher. I would love to see her go away somewhere new and experience a different way of living. Perhaps she goes to a bigger city and sees true poverty for the first time. After completing her education and setting herself up in a home of her own, she would reconnect with Mr. Brooke, as they are teaching at the same school. They would build a life together on equal footing. I would imagine Meg would be involved in social justice movements, especially when it comes to equal access to education.

Jo’s tomboy ways wouldn’t be as scandalous and we could lean heavily into her androgyny. The novel may follow her journey to identify as demisexual, in which she would not experience any physical attraction without first developing a strong emotional connection. She and Laurie would have had a respectful conversation in their later teen years in which she expresses that she does not wish to marry him, and they would both be able to move on without Laurie’s harsh treatment of her. Her writing would still be her main focus, though she would eventually find a partner to share her life with who would be able to keep up with and challenge her intellectually.

For Beth, I would most likely keep her original storyline of illness, but like others have said, perhaps she would have some sort of chronic illness that she manages throughout the story, rather than a terminal diagnosis in which she does not survive. This change in Beth’s character could provide an opportunity to show readers that it is possible to live a full and happy life while living with a chronic illness. Beth would surround herself with the comforts of home, as the original character loved to do. She would have a large family, and remain close with all of her sisters. She would inspire many of the characters to stand up for accessibility and medical care reform.

I would keep Amy’s character much the same, but potentially make her more of an adventurous youngest sister.. She would still have a love for art and the finer things in life, but she would pursue them in her own right, rather than waiting for them to be given to her by others. She would potentially own a successful art gallery or work at a museum. I would love to see Amy’s character travel the world, perhaps with Laurie by her side. She would still eventually marry Laurie, but only after it has been established that she doesn’t need to, but does it because she loves him.

Rather than Mr. March being called away by the war, I would simply make him a businessman who travels internationally for work. Perhaps he works in sales or finance. He could still fall ill on a trip, which would require Mrs. March to travel and visit him. I would likely keep Mrs. March as a stay at home mom, but I would enrich her character with other goals and hobbies. As I was reading the novel, I got the impression that Mrs. March’s function was largely to speak in cliche advice, so I would love to see her character rounded out a bit more, possibly with PTA involvement, a book club with some of her girlfriends, maybe another hobby like running or yoga.

I would love to bring this story into the current time by focusing on issues of social justice, women’s rights, sexual abuse and misconduct, and political corruption. I believe that by bringing these issues into the story, we could ensure it would be relatable for even more generations to come.

Alexa Delling

9/26/2022 08:16:20 am

Hi Meaghan!
I really liked how you broke down your response for each of the main characters. I agree with the stories ability to bring in issues like social justice and women’s rights since this is the forefront of the issues within the time period that this story takes place. Mrs. March’s character is definitely not developed enough and since their father is absent, I also wish she was there for the girls and even more so since Beth does not make it to the end of the story. Overall, a newer version of the story would offer larger opportunities for the girls rather than their jobs relying around superficial aspects in life that women were seen as only good for in this time period.

Sydney Blair

9/26/2022 10:21:39 am

Hi Meaghan!
I really enjoyed reading your post, and like Alexa said, I really enjoyed how you broke each character change down and separated them. I also really liked how you really modernized the story. I definitely struggled coming up with changes as I have a strong affection for the story. However, it was really cool to see the changes you would make after reading it for the first time! Your idea to send Meg off to a university and pursue her passion to teach was probably one of my favorite changes. Meg has so much potential, kindness, and warmth to her character, and I think embracing her ambition and passion could make her character that much stronger. I also appreciated the changes you would make to Beth’s character. I wrote in my post how each event or tragedy of this story is crucial to the plot; however, I would love to see Beth’s story play out a little differently. Creating a more modernized version of each of these characters brings so many new opportunities to the story and creates a even more relatable novel. I would definitely read this re imagined version!!

Alexa Delling

9/26/2022 08:09:53 am

In the novel Little Women, Beth, Meg, Jo, and Amy all succumb to expectations of women within the 1860s and at a pivotal time of divide during the Civil War. If the novel was updated to a 2022 version, it would definitely start with the way the girls dress and how they communicate throughout the story. As the girls are invited to a New Year’s Eve party in Chapter 3, Meg mentions “If only I had a silk” (Alcott 23) and as throughout the novel they use letter and telegraph to talk to one another after their mother has departed. Another large part of the storyline is how they speak and how they act towards other people outside their family. The girls are expected to speak properly and cordially to adult figures and especially to men. The new version would have more slang terms from the girls and less proper language. All the girls are required to work their own different jobs and as Meg works as a nanny and Jo works for their Aunt March, these jobs could be applicable in 2022 as well. One thing I admire most about this book is even though it is set in 1860s, all the sisters give off real emotion of these young women, even though many aspects could be updated to fit a 2022 lens, they still display character traits of young girls which makes it easier for the reader to relate to even if it is placed in a different time period. Another large plot point that would alter the story is Beth’s survival of scarlet fever since in 2022 there is of course much research, technology, and medicine that would most likely save Beth from the death of an illness. Meg and Jo feel like they are to blame for Beth’s illness as if they had modern medicine and a hospital to attend to, Beth would be in the hands of a doctor and not her sisters. This story could be altered to advocate for women’s rights and specifically for young women as this story offers insight to the young girl’s lives and their hardships as women in poverty.

Catie Mullen

9/27/2022 01:21:24 pm

Hi Alexa,

After reading your response, I noticed that we both had similar ideas when it came to updating Little Women. It is very important to mention that an update may be used to advocate for women's rights as I also brought this up in my discussion post. Although I think this is a great start to a new update, I know we could build upon this idea more as well. I have some ideas to further your updates! Beth's health will improve because of modern medicine, so we would need to create a future plot line for Beth. To build upon your idea, Beth could go to college (which is not something women did in the original version of the book) and study medicine to help others who went through the same sickness as her. Seeing as this updated version will be based in 2022, her sickness could be cancer. Another theme we need to add to your version is love. However, we are in 2022, so we can't assume all four sisters are going to relate with heterosexuality. Since we are already talking about women's rights, we could have a major theme/section in our updated version be about these young girls fighting for women equality. There are so many different ways that someone could update this classic novel, while steel keep its literary essence to it. Great work Alexa!

Best,
Catie Mullen

Jessica Sweeney

9/27/2022 08:07:19 pm

Hi Alexa! I think you bring up a very interesting point about language here. Not only Alcott's actual writing a bit different than what we would see in a contemporary YA novel, but the language the girls themselves had to use was different. I think an update of this novel could explore this idea by use the girls different languages or dialects (or slang like you said). This would be an interesting opportunity for the book to explore what we consider to be proper language today. Another thing I would add to what you are suggesting here is how we view expression today. Clearly the girls in the original novel were limited in how they were able to express themselves. However, I think some of those limitations sill exist today and it would interesting to see how that would play out in a modern setting. In particular, Jo’s character comes to mind for me. As most people have said I think Jo would end up rejecting marriage in a modern version and have more room to work out her identity. Beyond that, it would be interesting to explore how each sibling expressed their desires and to see what modern limitations exist that may challenge or prohibit those desires. After all, the 21st century is still riddled with issues that face families and specifically young women.

Jenivieve

9/26/2022 12:12:15 pm

Although Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women was written during the heat of the Civil War in 1868, many of the themes and lessons within the pages hold universal truths for readers now and into the foreseeable future. Part of what gives this novel so much character is its charm that comes from being set in harsh times in American history.

When I initially began to brainstorm how I would adapt this text to a 2022 version I struggled to see how the beauty of familial love and friendship during a time of war could be replicated in today’s world. What I asked myself first was: what are today’s wars that people have to fight? The answer is not singular, but one idea struck me as a possible modern twist for Little Women.
Firstly, I would not have the 2022 version be about a white family that was once rich. Instead, I would take the major theme of poverty and make it more applicable to modern families' struggles. In the updated version I would make the story about a family that immigrated (doesn’t really matter from where) to America to give their daughters more opportunities. In this version, the father was unable to come with them because he was a prominent figure back home that their community relies on. Back home, this family was rich, but in America, their money goes nowhere. In this updated version the same lessons could be applied that Alcott teaches her little women throughout her original text. In this version, I would make Laurie a classmate, not a neighbor, who helps Jo get acclimated to the American lifestyle.

I would not include religion as much as Alcott does in her original version of the text. Instead, I would replace these references that serve as support for Mrs. March’s lessons with allusions to Jo’s culture. These cultural references would instead be the support that Jo can offer her friend Laurie, and use to help keep herself in check in this version of the story.
As far as the characteristics of the girls go, I would not change much. I think that Alcott does a beautiful job characterizing each of these girls to teach a lesson to readers. I would change their names to fit the culture that the modern version of this novel would be focused on. However, I would not have Jo open up a school, instead, I would have her become a famous writer that focuses on feminism and her culture. I would have Beth be afflicted with a chronic illness that doesn’t kill her but teaches the girls another lesson about perceived poverty. Essentially, I would use this to suggest that health is wealth as the girls would watch Beth live but struggle to do so. I personally would not have Laurie propose to Jo in the 2022 version of this novel because I think it is more powerful for Jo to be a successful woman, happy independently than to be married to someone who played the role of her best friend. I think that showing an act that suggests an unbreakable friendship at the end would be better such as Laurie and Jo coauthoring a hit series about their childhoods.

Mary Viera

10/14/2022 08:20:34 pm

I like this adaptation of “Little Women” as it raises a lot of interesting questions about wealth and status in America and abroad. I really like the idea of watching a family move from wealth to poverty by simply moving countries. Not only would they be facing culture shock but they would have to adjust financially as well. Also I think making Laurie a classmate is a great adjustment as well. I’m wondering how much his role would be changing as I think you could argue that he’s a mentor in the original version as well. I also like that Jo becomes a writer and stays single as I think this should have happened in the original version!

Katie Rodrigues

9/26/2022 03:34:09 pm

Since this was my first time reading the novel, I got to look at it through fresh eyes and not have a pre-existing love for the novel prior to this assignment. The biggest change that I would make in the novel to make it more modernized is with the protagonist, Jo. Like Megan stated in her post, I would keep Jo single instead of having her marry Bhaer. Jo's freedom and independence is so important throughout the novel and she loses some of that when Bhaer comes into the picture. I think she settles for him because that is what is expected of her; To settle down, find a husband, marry, have children, and live out the rest of her life like that. Jo is more than capable of being able to run the boarding school on her own. Jo even stopped writing what she wanted and took a more simple route thanks to the influence of Bhaer. Jo would keep her independence until she found someone that added to her character, not took away from it. I think it would be crucial for young readers, specifically women, to read about a strong, independent female protagonist who does not need to settle down to be "fulfilled." It is important for young girls to see that they do not need a man in order to feel complete or to fulfill some societal duty. Like many others, it is hard to find something to change about the novel because there are major lessons that can be learned just from the original version. You also do not want to take away from the hearty feeling that the book brings. However, I do feel strongly about Jo being single. Independence is important to me personally, so I would have loved to watch Jo grow and build a life on her own and marry only if she found the right fit for her.

Nicole Shepard

9/26/2022 06:32:39 pm

Hi Katie!
I was also able to read “Little Women” for the first time and I think that helped coming into this assignment. Your idea of having Jo stay single instead of marrying would definitely fit in well if this updated story were to take place in 2022. It is much more common now for both women and men to stay single well into their life, rather than rushing off to get married. Your point about independence is definitely relevant - Jo would be more than capable of running the boarding school by herself. Going off of that, I think her being single would allow her writing to flourish more than it would if she were forced into a relationship/settled down just because. I really like the point you made about how it is important for young girls to see a female protagonist like this “modern” Jo. It would teach young girls that they don’t need to be in a relationship to be worthy. Independent women are just as, if not more, capable of being successful while single rather than in a relationship! Girls everywhere would read “Little Women” and see a confident, independent, capable woman like Jo and look up to her.

Nicole Shepard

9/26/2022 06:23:45 pm

I have never read “Little Women” prior to reading it for this course, so I was able to come into this assignment with an open mind. “Little Women” is a classical novel for many reasons, one being that the themes in this book could also be applied in today’s day and age. However, there are many parts of this book that either wouldn’t be acceptable in 2022 or just don’t fit in with today’s society.
One of the first things I would change in “Little Women” is how Amy is treated when she is caught trading limes at school. To begin with, Amy wouldn’t be trading limes in 2022 but rather the very popular pop-it fidget toys that all students seem to have these days. Furthermore, it would be unacceptable in 2022 for Amy’s teacher to bring her to the front of the classroom and hit her. Instead, Amy would lose her privilege of being able to bring fidgets into school and would have to meet with her teacher after school.
Another part of the story that I would change, even though it may seem small, is rather than having Amy throw Jo’s manuscript in the fire I would have Amy delete Jo’s manuscript file off her laptop. It isn’t necessarily realistic to have Jo writing her story out on paper and for there to be an open fire in the house. In 2022, almost everyone has the luxury of owning some sort of electronic device. When Amy deletes Jo’s manuscript, this could also start a potential social media “war” between the sisters, with each of them posting their own hurtful messages about each other on some sort of social media platform.
Lastly, and as many of my peers have already said, I would have Beth come down with a different type of sickness. It is dreary to talk about simply because of the toll COVID has taken on all of us but being realistic I think it would be quite possible to seamlessly incorporate the pandemic into this updated version of “Little Women.” If Beth was to get COVID, it would be possible to illustrate the effect this sickness has on the patient (Beth) and also on the family. I would include in my version of the story how Beth would have to isolate all by herself while her family took all the necessary precautions to stay healthy. Rather than having Beth die, I would have her slowly recover from COVID while dealing with some symptoms that have a longer effect on her. There is so much more I would want to change/update but only so much I can say in around 300 words!

Patricia Diaz

9/26/2022 07:09:09 pm

Hi Nicole,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us! As I was reading your comment, there were a few ideas that also came to my mind regarding your changes. I do agree that in today’s world, corporal punishment is not acceptable, which is why I also think that a modern audience would not take it well while reading this. A modern change that comes to my mind to help with this would be to maybe give Amy detention. That way it would still serve as a punishment but in a more appropriate way. Furthermore, the reason why Amy got punished—trading limes—as you mentioned would not be seen in 2022. A good change that came to my mind would be her showing her friends something on her phone. Many schools are prohibiting the use of electronic devices. Due to this, maybe young readers can feel more identify with Amy in this scene. In addition, you introduced the idea of a texting war between sisters! I find this fascinating because communication, especially through letters, seems to be a major element in the novel. I think that changing these letters with texting or video calls—forms of technology—would help readers feel more related to it.

Katie Rodrigues

9/27/2022 04:34:19 pm

Hi Nicole,

I agree with the changes that you would have made to the book. Of course, it would not be realistic or acceptable for a teacher to hit a student in today's society, so I think that not allowing the Amy to bring her toys back to school with her would be an accurate punishment. Also, the pop it toys is a spot on modern adaption to the book. I work at a daycare and every child has one, so readers would definitely be able to relate to that. The idea you introduced about the social media war between Amy and Jo is interesting. It would fit with how prominent social media is and would create an interesting dynamic for the sisters to have to evolve through. And lastly, making Beth have COVID would 100% fit in a modern adaption of the book. It would make a lot of sense and I also think it would have been interesting to read thoughts from both Beth and the family while she is being isolated.

Patricia Diaz

9/26/2022 06:53:19 pm

I wanted to start this modern version by first saying that I loved how despite this book being written in the 1800s, I was still able to relate to and sympathize with the characters. If I was editing this book in a way that our modern audience would be able to relate even more to it, I would add a few different things. I would change the reason why Beth got sick. In the book, it is said that she dies because of the Scarlet Fever. Many modern readers don’t know what this illness was, which could have made it harder for them to understand. Instead, I would change it for many colds or even COVID since everyone can tell what these sicknesses are.
One of my favorite characters in the novel was Jo due to her love of freedom and independence. In my modern retelling, I would have let Jo stay single. I think that the period in which this book was written had to ensure that Jo ended up with someone else to form a family. However, nowadays, it is completely natural to stay single and be an independent woman. I would have given Jo a chance to find herself and to stay true to her feelings. In addition, part of the novel dealt with Jo struggling to become a successful writer because she was a woman. I would have let Jo be a successful writer from the start and seen how that might have influenced the course of her life.

In addition, I would change the different travels to Europe that Laurie and Amy did. Instead of studying abroad, I would change it perhaps by studying at different schools/colleges that are a bit far from their home. This way the readers might feel a sense of connection because they’d be able to identify with it.

Chloe Tavernier

9/27/2022 10:22:59 am

Hi Patricia,

I totally agree with you, despite the time frame of Little Women, I found myself invested in and sympathizing with the characters, even if I wasn’t quite able to fully relate to them. I noticed that many of our classmates mentioned this as this is certainly a crucial and much needed change, in regards to the type of disease that befalls Beth. The change from scarlet fever to a disease or illness that is more commonly known in this era, although it doesn't necessarily have to be covid. Many prospective readers might not be aware of scarlet fever and changing the illness might help to alleviate some alienation on the readers part. I also agree with your stance on Jo staying single, as I believe Jo could be representative of a modern-day influential figure. A figure to instill and emphasize the normalcy of being an independent woman. Jo also becoming a successful writer will also aid tremendously in conveying this message.

Megan Keller

9/27/2022 11:22:27 am

Hi Patricia,

I thought your response was really well done in the terms of your analyzing on Jo's character. I agree with you 100% about keeping Jo single so she can learn a bit more about herself on her own. I had never thought of that before and your argument was very convincing. I can now see how beneficial it could be to keep Jo single. It was really well done and very convincing, great job!

Maddy Ames

9/27/2022 11:38:29 am

Hi Patricia!

I think it's so interesting reading everyone's edits because I waited until after I wrote my post to go through them and so many of us picked up on similar points of the text. I liked your take on Beth's death and how you proposed COVID-19 as a potential cause. I think that really modernizes the text as well as makes it more accessible for a current audience. Another point you made was about how Jo could remain single in the 2022 version of this text and I liked that a lot. I tend to be a hopeless romantic and said in my post that I would have paired her up with Laurie eventually- but I like your idea of keeping her single. I think that she is such a strong character that her singleness could be really powerful.

Chloe Tavernier

9/26/2022 07:40:59 pm

Prior to taking this class, I knew very little regarding the timeless novel, Little Women nor much about the influential and revolutionary author Louisa May Alcott. I do; however, recall having watched the 1994 adaptable film of Little Women in one of AP literature classes in highschool, but I recall very little of the details of the movie. Now that I’m being tasked with a meaningful objective, I have a renewed opportunity to delve into the narrative of Little Women. Before discussing the alterations, I would make for a hypothetical modernization of Little Women, I am well aware that the authentic charm and appeal of this novel stems from the fact that Alcott largely took inspiration for her story and characters based on her life, the people she encountered, and her experiences. Nevertheless, if Little Women were to be updated to take place in 2022 or simply a more recent time frame there would only be a few changes that I would make, as the story's authentic realism continually strengthens it and greatly works in its favor. I don’t think Little Women needs a major overhaul, but a little touch of modernity would not go amiss or underappreciated, but too much modernization can also muddle and obscure the innate charm and appeal of the story. Firstly, I believe this is one of the more glaring aspects I take issue with Little Women, but I also understand that this novel is undoubtedly a product of its time as such it was commonplace for women to be seen as hopeless and incapable of pursuing big, monumental careers. For my first alteration, I would want Jo to be acknowledged and encouraged to be a writer, in addition to her largely supportive family, I would want Jo’s aspiration to be emboldened by others around her, rather than being harshly chided and demoralized for pursuing a seemingly foolish and pointless endeavor. That mentality is utterly disparaging and undermining Jo's merit and artistic capabilities. It also somewhat indirectly vilifies women as a whole. A mentality that I simply will not tolerate for a prospective modern revitalization. Secondly, Little Women tends to discuss religious aspects quite often, especially amongst characters. I think its inclusion is fine, but I would want a bit of a reduction to it due to its sheer volume and frequency, as it gives off the impression of an ulterior imposition. Thirdly, I would want Beth to overcome her chronic illness, to prevent her from succumbing to scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is hardly a threat in the modern era, for she could swiftly be cured with the advancements of medicine and technology. I think it would make for an interesting result if one were to modernize Little Women, however I do believe the original should not be undermined for how culturally revolutionary and influential it was.

Meaghan Cook

9/27/2022 03:50:42 am

Hi Chloe!

I also had little experience with Little Women prior to reading it for this class. I honestly think that may have put us at a bit of an advantage in this assignment because we weren’t as attached to the original text as those who have known and loved it for years prior. That being said, I definitely agree that the general framework of the story should be kept in order to honor its connection to Alcott’s lived experience. I agree that the religious aspects would feel incredibly out of context in a 2022 novel, especially in relation to current YA trends. I love your idea of having Jo’s writing be more encouraged and celebrated rather than discouraged or tolerated. I wonder if a modern retelling would take the opposite approach and focus more on Jo’s romantic life, as I myself found myself focusing on. Your post made me realize that I too brushed off Jo’s talents and almost took them for granted, not feeling the need to dive into them further. Thank you for sharing!

Megan Keller

9/27/2022 09:02:44 am

When reading the 2022 adaptation of Little Women, I was extremely taken aback by the fact that this beautifully written novel from the 1860s was able to be changed into a more modernized version. As a lover of literature myself, I was extremely taken aback and cautious when going into this novel due to the fact that this is such an iconic piece of historical young adult literature. Louisa May Alcott took her own personal experiences and shaped the novel around the events she felt and witnessed. In a way, this novel is a beautiful rendition of the life of one of the most famous female writers of her time. When I compared and contrasted the older version to the newer, one moment stuck out to me as a fan of the older version. The scene in which Beth dies from Scarlett Fever could be modernized to be a bit more realistic in the 2022 version. The unfortunate yet fortunate recognition that Scarlett's fever is not prominent in our society anymore, but other illnesses are. Beth could have come down with an awful case of covid or even any type of more modern illness would have made the changes a bit more relatable and current. There is a part of me that wants the original form of Little Women, simply because I grew up with it and it is familiar, but if young adult literature didn’t grow with the generation, we would still have young adults reading Tom Sawyer. In that sense and as a hopeful future educator, it is important to recognize and deal with the current generation with current events. Overall, I feel the new and improved version of Little Women is current and adapted beautifully, even from its past beauty.

Maddy Ames

9/27/2022 11:34:02 am

I am going to be honest- the thought of changing anything about Little Women pains me a little bit. My copy of this novel has been well-loved, and with good reason, but I will do my best to dream up a 2022 adaptation.

The first thing I would change would be Beth’s death from Scarlet fever. Obviously, we have modern medicine and that would not have killed her in this day and age. I think if she were still to die, I would have her have cancer or CF… Although her death in the novel wrecks me every time, so maybe I would just have the tragic threat of death, without having her die. Beth’s death does feel rather central to the plot though, so my keeping her alive would be purely selfish and probably detract from the text. The next thing I would do is have Laurie and Jo end up together in the long run. I would still have them have their falling out and take space from each other, but I would have them eventually find their way back to each other. It always irked me how he ended up with Amy. Something about that part of the storyline felt too quick and sort of random to me. I would also change how Meg is consistently pressured to marry someone rich. I feel like that school of thinking is extremely dated. I would figure out how to give Meg some control in her life, and make the emphasis on her getting married less central to her character development. I understand that at that time, marriage was nearly the only thing for a woman to do to ensure she was taken care of; but now in 2022, I would release them from that narrative.

Catie Mullen

9/27/2022 01:08:42 pm

The novel, Little Women, is seen to many as a classic literary piece. I think what makes it literature is the use of morals, character development, language, timelessness, and a long lasting impression on our society. Most aspects of this novel are outdated, but they are classic, which make it so special and loved by all. Many of society's ideals now would be seen as absurd to someone from the late 1980's. However, I noticed Jo's character tended to go against societal expectations in Little Women. In my 2022 version of the Little Women, I would keep the essence of a classic work while updating it to be more centered on stronger femininity. Instead of Amy, Jo, Meg, and Beth centered on marrying, caring for their families, or taking charge of the household operations, I would have these four girls focus on independence and going against societal norms in order to allow women to be given more freedom. Jo would go off to college, write her novel, and become a popular novelist in the world while making her own earnings. Meg has a very maternal instinct and it seems that her goal in life is to make her husband and children happy, so I would keep that, however I would center Meg's married life on being co-dependent when it comes to taking care of the children, cleaning the home, and cooking the food. As for Amy, I would also send her to art school to become a successful artist. Since I am still looking to base my 2022 version of the novel still in the late 1860's, Beth would still would get sick from Scarlett Fever, however, there would be more opportunity in the beginning of the novel for Beth to grow as a woman and pursue her dreams. Much of the language would be changed as these young girls would fight against societal norms. It is interesting because during the novel, Alcott points out her ideas of women superiority. For instance, "Men seldom do, for when women are the advisers, the lords of creation don't take the advice till they have persuaded themselves that it is just what they intended to do" (Alcott 295). Here Alcott is hinting to the readers that she knows women are smart and do have important ideas to share with the world, but men are not interested in hearing it. If I were to update my 2022 version to the sisters gaining control of their lives and building up other women's lives in the novel, then it will allow the themes to resonate closer with the modern world, while still keeping the beloved classic feeling of the original story.

Sam Isom

9/27/2022 03:40:25 pm

Little Women relies on its time period for much of the societal context, yet at the same time remains relatable to the issues of modern time. This can be demonstrated by taking a modern twist on some of the events, things in particular that feel more out of place in 2022. Also, certain things that would be extremely unlikely to be featured in a novel written in 1868, much less one that is such a renowned classic- in particular, that I would update the narrative to allow more varied gender expression for Jo. Much of Jo’s arc revolves around femininity and understanding how to express herself as a young woman, and to be allowed to go against the expectations placed on her as a girl. She behaves in ways that are considered unladylike and tomboyish, even things as simple as being a writer. She also cuts her hair, and chooses to go by Jo rather than Josephine. Small acts like this are Jo’s way of expressing herself within the constrictions of being a woman. For the time period, Jo is extremely destructive of the norms in place for girls. In 2022, I think Jo would go even further and explore her gender more freely. Not that I’m saying she’s a full on man, but I can very easily see her exploring beyond the gender binary of just presenting as a cis woman. Gender identity is so personal and intimate, Jo could certainly find a place for herself somewhere among womanhood and nonbinaryism, and still be fully able to express femininity and masculinity in as many ways as she wants.

celeste barbosa

9/27/2022 05:13:36 pm

Hi Sam!

I really enjoyed reading your post and how you focused on Jo and her character! Expanding her character in the sense of her gender identity is something that makes a lot of sense and I can truly understand where you are coming from. In 2022, we are continuing to see an increase in these topics relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, so incorporating this in Young Adult novels is something that could be extremely useful for all readers. I also specifically like how you said Jo could express herself more freely without having to put so much stress on the labels and definitive consequences of her feelings. This is another concept that I feel like is so important in Young Adult literature. The freedom of expression without second guessing your choices because of society. Great Job!

Little Women in 2022

9/27/2022 05:04:00 pm

Cohabiting a little townhome on the cramped streets of Weymouth, Massachusetts, four sisters and their mother are pinching pennies while the father is stationed off in Ukraine. Nevertheless, fearless Jo insists her sisters keep her blog alive and well with new script. When the old man next door’s car breaks down, Meg uses her new license to drive him down the street to a repair shop. From this act of generosity, the two families become close.
On the first day of high school, Jo is having a difficult time making friends, because she doesn’t fit in with the pretty and popular group. Instead, her tomboyish attitude has been driving other girls away. However, she meets Laurie on homecoming night, a bright and eccentric kid who doesn’t want to go off to college– despite what his grandfather wants. Later that night, Jo finds out he’s the old man’s grandson (she sees Meg driving Mr. Laurence– whose care is still broken!-- into the school parking lot; the four drive home together).
Laurie and Jo hit it off spectacularly, and they– along with Jo’s sisters– create a club afterschool dedicated to writing, which they call the Pickwick Club. Each sister dedicates her talents to the paper they write together– and when they anonymously pass it out in school, it becomes a huge success. When Jo and Laurie move off to college, Laurie asks her out– but is turned down.
Dismayed, he applies for a college in California to look for a new start. There, he bumps into Jo’s little sister– Amy– who is with her aunt looking for auditions and opportunities in LA. The two fall for each other and begin dating there.
Meanwhile, back in Massachusetts, Jo has met a wonderfully bright upperclassman named Erik Bhaer. After they spend hours upon hours honing her writing for her seminar, she realizes she’s fallen in love– and the two decide to date. However, it wasn’t all happy. Jo’s immunocompromised sister, Beth, contracts COVID-19 and has severe complications. Unfortunately, she is left with long COVID, and must adapt to a new way of life.

Lucienne Quirk

9/27/2022 05:05:02 pm

Allison Raposo

9/27/2022 06:20:04 pm

I really think your synopsis did a great job incorporating all of the elements of what it means being a young person in today's society. I really enjoyed how you incorporated the war and how the father was fighting in Ukraine, that is something I had not even thought of. As a future educator I would include this synopsis in my lesson plans when teaching "Little Women" because it is extremely accurate and my students would be able to relate to this story. I also liked how you portrayed Erik Bhaer as an intriguing upper classman and you used that specific term.
I think the detail of Jo's personality being more tomboyish is extremely important because that is a common theme of why girls are mean. Jo not getting along with the popular girls explains her personality perfectly, which leads to them being jealous.

celeste barbosa

9/27/2022 05:09:27 pm

I have always wanted to read Little Women, but I have never found the time, so I was very excited to see it on our syllabus and read it for the first time in the context of dissect Young Adult literature. With that being said, I feel as though there are somethings that could be adjusted to fit a 2022 lens. I do really enjoy the novel as it is, but for the purpose of molding it to a more modern lens, the main things I would change would be the expectations of the women, their roles, and their backgrounds.

I feel like there might be a lot of unpopular opinions with what I am about to say, but I feel like the demographic of the novel needs to change. I would adjust the family to be more of an adoptive family and have the girls come from different background. I feel as though the culture that could be added to this novel could make a drastic impact in the 21st century. Maybe having Jo be of Hispanic descent, Meg be of African America descent, Beth be of Asian descent, and keeping Amy of the white American descent can really shape and exemplify the fluidity of the novel. It would show students that blood does not make family, but in fact the relationships and love we have for one another, while also incorporating the multicultural aspect that is becoming so prominent in our growing society.

I also feel like changing the expectations and roles of the women would drastically improve this novel to reflect a more 2022 lens. Since this novel was written over a 100 years ago, the expectations of women and their roles have drastically evolved from what was acceptable in the late 1800s. I do feel like Alcott does take the role of a feminist and there are aspects of Little Women that try to break the roles and expectations for women, but I think there could be more of an emphasis on it. Instead of having Jo’s tomboyish personality be her “weakness” or a bad thing, make it her strength and portray a more leadership characterization. Instead of having all the girls married at the end of the novel, discuss their success as women with whatever path they choose, whether that be a stay-at-home mom or New York Times bestselling author. Creating a more open-ended ending to the girls lives and paths, is more relatable within a 2022 lens, while also intertwining a more intersectional character pool will provide students with an even deeper sense of connection and appreciation for literature and Little Women.

Allie Gallahue

9/27/2022 07:55:45 pm

I did not consider the idea of changing the family to be adoptive, but I think it makes a lot of sense. Although the girls were initially all described as very different from each other, they were still able to form connections with one another, as well as with the readers due to the fact that it was easy to relate to at least one of the characters since they were so vastly different. However, by changing their backgrounds and cultures, readers will be able to relate even more to these characters, as well as to the text. Being able to relate to the text in some way is incredibly important in YA literature, as many of us have already mentioned. It would also send out a really wonderful message about how family is a lot deeper than just DNA, as you mentioned. I also agree that it is important for Jo to be seen as a leader, because many young women who are feeling uneasy about their identity would really benefit from seeing a strong and independent female protagonist. Also, although she is portrayed like this in the original novel, updating Jo’s character to focus on the value of being a leader rather than “unladylike” is really important, especially because seeing women as leaders is still a problem we face in today’s society. Women taking the lead of a project or situation will be seen as “bossy” rather than as strong, independent, and/or a leader. So, Jo could be a staple for change in this way of thinking about leadership roles among the sexes.

Linnea Fawkes

9/27/2022 05:18:01 pm

I have always enjoyed reading Little Women, as I read it many times when I was younger and I loved seeing the new movie that came out a few years ago. It is a classic, well beloved novel that will always be timeless and a good read. I also love that this novel is set in New England, making it have an even more special place in my heart. This novel has so many situations and life lessons that can be applied and modified to fit our 21st century society. A first change to modernize this novel could be with their father off at war. Instead of having to write and wait for letters to arrive, technology would overpower this. The use of phone calls, text messages, and video calls would be used over letters. The father and fellow soldiers would also have a better chance of surviving in war too, since medicines, transportation and weaponry is better now. A second chance to modernize this novel would be involving Beth’s death. Like I said previously, medicine and surgeries are so much better now, so Beth probably would have been able to survive. Or, I would change her illness to be Covid-19, since this is such a prominent and deadly pandemic in our world today. Beth could have either survived Covid-19 or it could have been the reason for her death. A third change to modernize this novel would be towards all of the sisters, especially Jo and Meg. There would be no push to get married, especially to a man of wealth, or a man at all. I think sexuality would be perceived differently and would be more fluid, especially in Jo’s case. More opportunities in education would have happened for the girls, and college would be so much more attainable for all.

Allison Raposo

9/27/2022 06:01:59 pm

I had never read this novel, however, was very excited to read it because of the positive reviews. The text "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott depicts the family dynamic of a New England family during the Civil War. Many aspects of this text can be mirrored in today's society, for instance the idea of being a young person in a very stressful society. As the novel continues it shows the life of four sisters struggling to find themselves as young adults.
Just as so many young adults in today's society are struggling to find themselves in an everchanging world. The updated version of "Little Women" would be consist of four girls living with a single mother post pandemic. Due to such high inflation and rising gas prices the family begins to struggle and the girls are forced to undertake two or more jobs to help their mother pay the bills. One of the sisters that would compare to Beth's illness would contract Covid-19, and she would also have a difficult time recovering and would not be able to work as much as her sisters.
The emphasis of the women being raised by a single mother in an all-female household dynamic is extremely common in today's society which is something Alcott included in her version which was against the "norm" of the 1800's. The main characters being women and supporting characters being men is something that was often not heard of because the men were the main source of income during that time period. Alcott's empowering novel highlights that women are capable of succeeding without a male figure in their lives. Just as social media is empowering young women to succeed with or without a man in today's society.

Linnea Fawkes

9/27/2022 06:48:40 pm

I really like your approach on bringing this novel into the 21st century. We both discussed how covid could play a role in this as well, but I like the turn you took on it instead. The idea of this happening within a family with a single mother is so prominent and realistic in our society today. I also really like how you bring up the high gas prices and how inflation is rising, making everything so much more expensive today. Tying in social media is also a really cool and unique approach to this novel and I wonder how the characters would have been like using our everyday social media accounts.

Allie Gallahue

9/27/2022 07:37:03 pm

I believe that "Little Women" is perfect for the time period in which it was written, as it is reflective of the events that were taking place. When the time period shifts drastically, as in this situation, the details that occur within the story must shift as well in order to maintain the accuracy of the historical events outlined. However, there are still many ways to keep the original plot and tell the story of the March sisters. For example, Jo’s character is described as the most “tomboy” out of the four women. Except, because of the societal expectations during the year in which this story takes place, it is hard to portray Jo as the independent character that she truly was. Due to certain standards present in that time for women, she could not fight in the war, nor could she remain single as women were expected to take care of a man in order to have value. In a 2022 rewrite, I think that it would be appropriate to have Jo’s character eventually become a part of one of the branches of the military. She would find her worth through being herself and expressing her independent and strong nature. Another thing that I would change is the way that the women were treated by men. Although misogyny is definitely still a prevailing problem in today’s society, I believe that overall treatment of women has improved, and they are seen as more valued than they were once before. For example, when Meg allows her friends to help her dress nicely for a party, Laurie insults her by saying that she appears “frivolous,” basically saying that the way she was dressed directly affected her value as a person. Clothing is an expression of yourself, but the way you dress in no way takes away from your worth, which is why this is something I would choose to change. I know many others have expressed this next change already, but I don’t think that I could imagine doing a 2022 rewrite of the novel in which Beth still faces an untimely death. As mentioned previously, today’s advanced medical technology would help Beth recover from a major illness, however her sickness could still play a major part in the story without her dying from it.

Jessica Sweeney

9/27/2022 07:50:50 pm

I think the best modernization of Little Women would change the identity of the family that is focused on. I think keeping the details such as the amount of siblings and certain traits each character had in order to keep some of the original charm of the novel. However, I propose a version of Little Women where there is not a middle class white family living in Massachusetts, but perhaps a non-white family living in the suburbs of Chicago. I think analyzing the difference in how this story would look would lead to some meaningful discussions. Of course a re-written version like this would look much different than the original version, but why else modernize a classic? A newer, more contemporary version like this would
I think this reinvented version could have some of the similar problems as the girls did in the book. Poverty and sacrifice for family are very real issues that could translate from the original novel into a more modern setting. There could be challenges with the modern healthcare system and its burden to families. There would be struggles with femininity and womanhood in the 21st century and what that looks like for the siblings marriage and family dynamics. The main idea of this more modern version would take the central themes, struggles, and triumphs of the original novel and apply them to modernized family. The point of the rewrite would be to have students see themselves in media. By keeping the central themes of the original novel alive through a revitalized version, students can have their own coming of age novel that explores the issues and topics that are relevant to them. As I mentioned previously this version would also be useful for comparison with the original novel. Students can analyze what is important in each version and create a dialogue about what remains the same and what has changed. It would also be a good opportunity to talk about a change in language that could be in each version.

Samantha Tyrrell

10/8/2022 04:55:48 am

I agree that a more modern version of the novel would look multifaceted. There are a lot of pressing issues today that could be represented in the novel, such as race and gender identity. By changing these aspects of the novel, more people would be able to see themselves represented by the characters.

Samantha Tyrrell

10/8/2022 04:53:39 am

The main part of Little Women I would change would be how Jo is treated in the novel. I would allow her to express her gender identity beyond the traditional roles of women and men. More updated language could be used, such as nonbinaryism. I think Jo could be a great role model for readers who don't fit into what most people see as traditional roles for men and women.

Mary Viera

10/14/2022 04:12:11 pm

To modernize “Little Women” I would start by looking at what it is that is central to the text’s appeal. It’s realism and relatability present truths about life and human nature. The 1800s cultural expectation that women will marry serves as a background for the entire novel, and is appealing to its audience whose lives are also shaped by that same expectation. Each girl in the family challenges this societal expectation in some way as they grow older and it is this realistic resistance that becomes intriguing. While the expectation that women must marry has changed in the last 200 years and is no longer as relatable, the way in which the girls question and interact with their roles in society is timeless. Besides the outdated language I think I would update the running theme that women must marry. I think the general expectation today of young people is that everyone must go to college. The path to a “successful” life in the 1800s as a young woman was to marry someone rich. Marmee challenges this idea through her encouragement of marrying someone not for riches but for love, and yet also supports the idea that marriage is the only road to happiness. I think college is seen in a similar light today. The only way to be successful and happy in your adult life is to go to college. It is socially accepted that college is the base to get a good job and have stable pay. To have the girls push this expectation would mean that they might resist going towards that traditional path and might be interested in the vocations. There are other paths besides going to college or joining one of the vocations, and this would be interesting to explore with high schoolers in an English class discussing an updated version of “Little Women”. What boundaries could be pushed today by people like Jo?

Little Women Redux

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