FEMINISM VALUES IN LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S

LITTLE WOMEN

Novita Yolanda Santi 1, Awliya Rahmi 2

1
STKIP YPM Bangko
2
Universitas Islam Negeri Imam Bonjol

<[email protected]>
< [email protected] >

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan secara kualitatif nilai-

nilai feminism yang dibawa oleh Jo, tokoh utama dalam novel Little Women
yang ditulis oleh Louisa May Alcott. Data pada penelitian ini dikumpulkan
dengan mneggunakan teknik dokumentasi. Data kemudian dianalisa dengan
menggunakan pendekatan feminis yang dikombinasikan dengan teknik analisis
konten. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai-nilai feminis dalam novel
Little Women antara lain Persamaan (Equality), Perbedaan (Difference), Pilihan
(Choice), Kepedulian (Care), Waktu (Time) dan Pengalaman (Experience).
Perjuangan Jo dalam mempertahankan haknya sebagai perempuan demi
keesetaraan dalam hal kodrat perempuan, prestasi perempuan dan kesetaraan
kesempatan untuk memperoleh pendidikan tinggi.
Kata Kunci: Nilai feminis, Novel Little Women, Louisa May Alcott, Literary
Criticism, Feminisme

Abstract: This research purposes to describe feminism values conveyed by Jo,

the main character in Little Women novel written by Louisa May Alcott by
applying qualitative method. The data of this research were collected by using
documentation technique. The data were then analyzed by using feminist
approach to be combined with qualitative content analysis technique. The result
of this research shows that the feminist values in Little Women by Louisa May
Alcott contains of Equality, Difference, Choice, Care, Time, and Experience.
The dominantly feminist value appears on this novel is Equality. Jo’s struggle in
maintain her woman rights to have similar equal in terms of women's nature, the
social treatment of women, women's performance and equal opportunity to have
higher education.
Keywords: Feminist Values, Little Women Novel, Louisa May Alcott, Literary
Criticism, Feminism

1. BACKGROUND Puritan colonist. Which is the condition

in the Puritan Colonist believed that the
Feminist issues have a long history, for inferiority women was a mark of
example, the feminist story in America. original sin, manifest in physical
Since the first wave of American weakness, smaller stature, intellectual
feminism in 1848, the period leading limitations and a tendency to depend
up to and follows the Seneca Falls upon emotions rather than the intellect.
Convention. The Position of women in They may argue that gender determines
colonial America was determined by everything, or just the contrast: that all
the hierarchical worldview of the gender differences are imposed by

49
society and gender determines family. On the other side, there are
nothing.1 Feminism tried to explain the socially differentiated between a rich
similarity and distinguish between family and a poor family of societies.
gender and equality gender of women. Authors of women’s fiction were often
It caused the Feminists often to argue middle-class women who had often
that male fears are portrayed through received a reasonable education, giving
female characters. Feminist Literary them the knowledge to write a book. In
Theory starts with the assumption that the 1850s the book became the
“gender difference” is an aspect which dominant mode of literary packaging.
has been neglected in traditional Nowadays in the globalization era,
literary criticism and, therefore, argues there are many cases about women and
that traditional domains of literary need the attention seriously from the
criticism have to be re-examined from woman itself and also the government
a gender-oriented perspective. in each country. It began from the
And therefore, Allen stated that researcher herself, as a woman. There
“feminists are forced to admit gender are so many thoughts that women are
difference and to argue that women are dominated by men in family and
entitled to equality on the basis of their society and treated as the ‘second’
distinctively female characteristics, society because women are weak and
thus creating a new version of female powerless. Women are supposed to be
“nature” that eventually becomes so good mothers and women are only to
oppressive and limiting that a new speak when they are spoken to. Writers
generation of feminists challenges it in are interested to talk about women
the name of equality (starting the because women should get their
process again)”.2 independence just like men have. I
The impact of feminism on want to show women’s independence
literary criticism over a view years ago from this thesis because women are not
has been profound and wide-ranging. It meek like the men thought.
begins in second-wave feminism in the Based on the researcher's opinions
United States and Europe during the above, the researcher found a good
Civil Rights campaigns of the 1960s. literary work that concerns on about
This criticism was concerned with the women's independence. This literary
impact of gender on writing and work shows us about women’s
reading. It usually begins with a determination. The literary work
critique of patriarchal culture. As entitled Little Women written by
American society grew and changed, so Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888).3 Little
did the household. Women is a phenomenal novel that was
The American nineteenth-century created by Louisa May Alcott (1832-
family often consisted of a man 1888) and its first time published in
working outside the home, while the 1868. Little Women was based upon
woman looks care of the house and the her and her sister‘s coming of age, set
in the Civil War. The novel was an
1
Endraswara, Suwardi. 2013. Teori Kritik instant success, earning her eternal
Sastra. Jakarta : CAPS
2
Allen, Ann Taylor. 2005. Feminism and
3
Motherhood in Western Europe 1890-1970. Alcott, Louisa. 1868. Little Women.
Newyork: Palgrave MacMillan. Massachisetts: Robert Brothers.

50
fame and fortune. It was translated into and “feminism” were first used in the
50 languages4. late nineteenth century by the French
Besides, Little Women novel tells suffragist Hubertine Auclert, and by
about the situation in the old period of 1900 these terms were in use
America. The women struggle to throughout Europe and North and Latin
maintain their rights; the freedom to America. As the historian Karen Offen
choose based on the women's desire, (in Allen, 2005:3) has remarked, many
the chance to have equality such as historical works of the 1970s evaluated
education, work outside of their home, their subjects according to the authors’
it caused by the women-only work as a definitions of feminism, derived from
mother and keep their children at home. the women’s movements of the late
The men had absolute power over the twentieth century. True feminists, these
family. authors insisted, aimed for “equal
Based on the background above, opportunity for the individual
the researcher was interested in irrespective of sex, familial
analyzing the feminism conflicts in considerations, or national concerns.” 5
“Little Women”. Jo as the main But most leaders of the first women’s
character has efforts to maintenance movement, from its origins in the
her right as a woman to challenges the eighteenth century until 1960, took a
normative patriarchal society. positive view of the family, the
maternal role, and the complementary
2. REVIEW male-female couple, and worked from
a concept of “equality-in-difference.”
In the most general terms, feminist Such activists have often dismissed as
concerned with the marginalization of simply not feminists a judgment that
all women. That is, with being Offen rightly rejects as unhistorical.
relegated to a secondary position in a Fakih stated that there are many
male-dominated society. It contains kinds of gender inequality, especially
political and social aspects, a fact that for women and it begins from the
differentiates this approach from many stereotype of themselves. The
other critical approaches. More phenomenon of society’s mindset or
specifically, “feminist critics generally cultural caused there is an unbalance of
agree that their goals are to expose power in society. Therefore, Sofia
patriarchal premises and resulting (2009:52-59) stated that one of the best
prejudices, to promote discovery and ways to against the patriarchal culture
reevaluation of literature by women, gives comprehension and suggestion.
and to examine social, cultural, and Through these ways, such as giving the
psychosexual contexts of literature and comprehension and also suggestion, for
literary criticism. example, writes the poem, prose, and
Any historical consideration of novel, the men will understand and
such a diverse and controversial have participation, giving feedback,
phenomenon as feminism must begin and nothing to lose. When the women
with a definition. The terms “feminist” are brave in against the emotional of
men and give some best suggestions, it
4
Little Women Introduction, Penguin
5
Classics, 1989.ISBN 0-14-039069-3 Ibid,. pg. 3

51
will prove that woman not only as an conducts the literary research on all the
object of marginalization, or the victim key terms used in this text:
of violence by a man. 1. Equality
Robert (1999:168) stated that the Feminist history tells us of the
feminist view attempts: to show that significant campaigns that have been
writers of traditional literature have undertaken to enable women to vote, to
ignored women and have also give them access to higher education
transmitted misguided and prejudiced and equal pay and conditions in the
views of them, to stimulate the creation workplace. The fundamental basis of
of a critical milieu that reflects a these campaigns has been the argument
balanced view of the nature and value that, as human beings, women are the
of women, to recover the works of same as men. Women, therefore, have
women writers of past times and to a right to equal treatment. The notion
encourage the publication of present of equality as a universal concept, that
women writers so that literary canon is a set of rules, norms, and principles
can be expanded to recognize women that are equally applicable to everyone
as thinkers and artists. and can be recognized and acceptable
In addition, Elaine Showalter, one to everyone appears at first sight to be
of the leading feminist critics in the an attractive concept for feminism.
United States, has identified three There are three elements to this
historical phases of women’s literary standard argument for sex equality. 7
development the “feminine” phase, These are women's nature; the social
during which women writers imitated treatment of women; and women's
the dominant tradition; the “feminist” performance. He also defines the
phase (1880-1920), during which meaning of equality as a concept that
women advocated minority rights, and can only be applied to two (or more)
protested; and the “female” phase things in some specified respect. In
(1920-present), during which terms of equality, this is expressed in
dependency on opposition that is, on terms of `an equal liberty to shape
uncovering misogyny in male texts is oneself by whatever differences one
being replaced by a rediscovery of finds significant.
women’s texts and women. Showalter Therefore, principally because of
attacks traditional literary history that the assumption of `no difference'
reduces female writers to only a few inequality laws, the issue of group
who are “accepted.” She describes a rights is one that has proved to be quite
woman’s tradition in literature that is controversial. Many pros and contras
an “imaginative continuum of certain toward women desire to have equality
patterns, themes, problems, and images right. But, it’s specified by law or
from generation to generation”. regulation to denote the equal or
There are six kinds of feminist sameness based on the appropriate
theory and includes the indicators of guidance.
values6. The concepts are available in 2. Difference
One of the interesting features of the
first difference that Evans identifies is
6
Hughes, Christina. 2002. Key Concepts in
Feminist Theory and Research. London:
7
SAGE Publication. Ibid,. pg.36

52
that she has decided to foreground choice is conceptualized and
difference rather than equality as the experienced as a lived reality is
central concept for the exploration of historically specific. Therefore,
cultural feminism. This reinforces our Strassman (in Hughes, 2002:96)
understanding of the inter-relationship comments in this respect that the
of meaning that is drawn from the hidden assumptions of the `free choice'
dualistic pairing of difference equality. model are: (1) people are independent
The three schools of difference, agents and unique selves, taking only
these are: their own needs and wishes into
1) Valuing woman's difference from account; (2) people are able and
man (the `weak' and the `strong' responsible for taking care of their own
versions of cultural feminism). needs'. She notes that economists do
2) Differences between groups of not deny that these assumptions are
women (identity politics). problematic but they also view them as
3) The difference or the difference fairly benign. She remarks that these
within (post-modernism and post- assumptions may fit the experiences of
structuralism). adult, White, male, middle-class
American economists but they do not
The notion of difference affects not fit the economic realities of many
only women's definitions of themselves others.
but also of the world. This implies that 4. Care
not only must social practices be The concept of other feminists’ values
subjected to feminist critique and is care. Based on Sevenhuijsen (1998)
reorganization, but also that the very (in Hughes: 2002:127) defines ethics of
structures of representation, meaning, care as a focus on values such as
and knowledge must be subjected to a `attentiveness to the need for care,
thoroughgoing transformation of their willingness to accept responsibility for
patriarchal alignments. A politics of others as well as for the results of
difference implies the right to define actions, and responsiveness'. This
oneself, others, and the world concern to present ethics of care as a
according to one's interests. counter-discourse to an ethics of rights
3. Choice has led to feminists in this field taking
The term “choice” conjures up up a more deconstructive approach to
strong ideas of human agency. The the binary oppositions that give rise to
individual is free to select whatever essentialist assumptions.
action she or he desires or may 5. Time
discriminate between different The value that is put on women's and
available options and pick the most men's time within such an economic
suitable. These ideas extend from model of household divisions of labor
purchasing food to selecting a lifestyle. relies on its estimated monetary value
As Plummer (in Hughes, 2002:83) in the paid labor market. Time is
comments that `the idea that we are feminism's latent concept. Feminist
autonomous human beings who can research has challenged the dominance
choose the kind of personal life we of linear clock time through analyses
wish to live has become a deeply that illustrate how this form of time
entrenched one'. Indicating that how shapes our material realities and our

53
understanding of selfhood and experience is the crucial site of feminist.
development. In particular, feminist It is because the experience is a story of
research has compared masculine clock women itself and also their relationship
time with feminine process time with each other in social life. Through
through which daily cyclical activities their experience before, the women
are experienced. Feminist research has could be fighting to maintain their
also illustrated the myriad of times that rights such through some activity in
exist (Adam, 1995) and how time is women organization that has similar
imbricate in authenticity. Analyses of experiences in the past.
feminist politics and the body have In writing this research, the
provided creative conceptualizations of researcher needs some relevant studies
time-space relations. to concern and traces back the
6. Experience preceding researches about this novel
Skeggs (in Hughes, 2012:151) notes that are related to the topic and could
that experience has been seen as the give some insight into the development
basis of feminism in that feminism as a of this research. Jessica Brook Greene,
social movement and as a personal in her research stated that most of
politics began the moment that women Alcott’s stories are lurid romances
began to talk to each other and make featuring strong, independent heroines
sense of their experiences as women. who defy male authority, and the
Indeed, de Lauretis (in Hughes, sexual power struggles that the thrillers
2012:151) comments that we can credit relate dramatically defy the gender
feminism for conceptualizing norms endorsed in many of Alcott's
`experience about both social-material more traditional juvenile novels. 8 The
practices and to the formation and republication of some Alcott thrillers in
processes of subjectivity'. This is 1976 initiated a new wave of
because the experience is central to scholarship which explores the
feminist political, critical and textual psychological and thematic
practices through, for example, implications of Alcott's secret
consciousness-raising, critiquing romances. Many critics have read the
scientific discourses and methodologies powerful narratives of Alcott's best
and imagining new forms of social thrillers and then returned to read texts
organization. like Little Women and Work in light of
There was an abundance of the feminist fury so obvious in her
commentary on the variability of their pseudonymous work. In reflection, they
meanings. The meaning of experience find that Alcott's best-known novels
defined by Weedon (in Hughes, demonstrate nuances of the same
2002:151) is perhaps the most crucial feminist doctrine. Muhamad Renaldy
site of political struggle over meaning Ganesha carried a research Women
since it involves personal, psychic and Movement and War Trauma in the
emotional investments on the part of Civil War in Louisa May Alcott’s
the individual.
The experience also plays an 8
Greene, Jessica Brook. "A Woman's
important role in determining the Legacy: An Analysis of Feminist Themes in
individual's role as a social agent. Here, the Work of Louisa May Alcott" (2000).
the researcher takes the conclusion that University of Tennessee Honors Thesis
Projects.

54
Hospital Sketches. Based on the transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual) is
feminist analysis, he concludes there still not widely legalized, and even
are feelings of under pressure and some countries have not recognized the
marginalization of women includes in existence of them yet. Being
the civil war. It is explained by the Transgender is chosen by people who
main character of Alcott’s novel feel that they are not comfortable with
toward the situation of civil war. Even their gender since birth. They are in the
though the women are prohibited middle of the man’s world and a
include in the civil war, the proud facts woman’s world. Someone who decides
show that women gave their to be transgender always has reasons
contribution such as medical assistance, behind it which are different from one
as a nurse and also a psychologist to another. The reason is based on the
the traumatic victims caused by civil experience of people. Accepting and to
war. It proved that the woman has be accepted are the desire of
equality as well as the men in that transgender.
period. Tetty Yukesty, Women as This research is qualitative in
Bread Winner in the novel Something nature. Regarding the theories and
Might Happen written by Julie related literature, authors conduct
Myerson. This Literary Criticism uses descriptive research to seek the
the research Method in this thesis is feminism conflicts in Louisa May
Analysis Description. A technique of Alcott’s Little Women. The data in this
the Research is library studies. How the research are the entire sentence
representation of the main character in conveying feminism conflict. In
the novel as Bread Winner as seen in collecting the data, the writer utilized
Something Might Happen from the the documentation method and taking
perspective of feminism and gender. notes technique. The data are then
Nofa Rochimah’s Gender Identity analyzed by using content analysis
Disorder in Louisa May Alcott’s Little techniques to examine the feminist
Women observed different roles of values in Little Women.
man and women in society. Men and
women do not follow these certain 3. FEMINISM VALUES IN
characteristics, they are often shunned LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S
and do not feel socially accepted. LITTLE WOMEN
These roles also have forced the society
to either embrace the outcome or reject Jo as the main character has a struggle
it. The humanistic theory by Abraham in maintaining woman’s independence
Maslow is used to reveal the impacts of and in her efforts challenging the
Jo’s transgender on her and her family. normative patriarchal society. The
A decision to choose to be transgender researcher conducts the research uses
has impact on the subject itself and the theory from Hughes (2002) that is six
family. Most transgender people have concepts of Feminist Theory, 1)
discrimination in getting job, making a equality, 2) Different, 3) Choice, 4)
relationship, and socializing with Care, 5) Time, and 6) Experience. All
people. Even they are avoided by their of the values have indicators that prove
family. This discrimination occurs about feminist value into paragraphs of
because third gender (such as the novel. It will describe the feminist

55
values in the novel through the analysis Similar to the reason before, by the
of word by word, or sentences by slang words, means that Jo wants to
sentences and classify based on the have the similarity between women and
concepts. men. It was seen at the sentence below;
“That’s why I do it”. Jo’s purpose is
a. Equality there are no exceptions to use the
The concept of feminism tried to voice words. And the word “….niminy-
that there is a gap between men and piminy chits!” as the evidence Jo was
women such as rules, norms, or not like about the normal character of
principles. All of the elements apply to women in that period. She wants to be
everyone. The equality value as a kind like a man, who can do the activities
of feminist values has seen in Little that they want to do base on the self.
Women novel. The authors delivered “I'm sure we work hard enough
the value implied of the sentences or to earn it" cried Jo, examining
paragraphs. Especially trough Jo’s the heels of her shoes in a
characters, who challenged the gentlemanly manner (LW: 2)
normative norm which woman as the
stereotypes in society seen in the From the excerpt above, Jo’s character
following excerpt: is likely men style. The difference is
this manner has done by Jo as a woman.
…"Jo does use such slang Usually, the manner was done by a
words!" observed Amy, with a man. Her manner in examine the heels
reproving look at the long figure of her shoes as the same as a man's
stretched on the rug. manner. It proves that Jo is boyish and
“Jo immediately sat up, put her wants to follow the man's manner.
hands in her pockets, and began
to whistle. "I hate to think I've got to grow
"Don't, Jo. It's so boyish!" up, and be Miss March, and wear
"That's why I do it." long gowns, and look as prim as
"I detest rude, unladylike girls!" a China Aster! It's bad enough to
"I hate affected, niminy-piminy be a girl, anyway, when I like
chits!" (LW:3) boy's games and work and
manners! I can't get over my
From the excerpt above, the authors disappointment in not being a
describe Jo’s character that has a men’s boy. And it's worse than ever now,
style. The reason for Jo’s style is to for I'm dying to go and fight with
refuse the way of thinking about Papa. And I can only stay home
women's style. Jo was refused against a and knit, like a poky old
woman who seems prestige and woman!"(LW: 4)
gracefully figures. It seems in the
sentence "Jo does use such slang In this excerpt, Jo mutinied against the
words!”. It means that in the Victorian process to become a Miss March. She
period the woman should have a kind did not want to follows the common
of attitude, and graceful. When Jo says style of a young woman, who wears
the slang word like a man, it could be long gowns. Jo expresses her
broke the women’s image in society. disappointment becomes a girl, who

56
has limited freedom to play games, has a choice base on herself. She does
works, and manners. It seems in the not follow the social practice, that a
sentence “it’s bad enough to be a girl...” woman should wear a prestige gown
Jo was disappointed with the rule of style. She proves that the woman could
women who got to grow up. Which is wear the clothes whether the woman or
wearing the long gowns also should man’s style. To support this argument
have the prestige or graceful manners. let see in the description below:
Besides, the sentence “look as
prim as a China Aster!” it means that “They looked very well in their
Jo’s expression of the women in that simple suits, Meg's in silvery
period. Women like a China Aster, who drab, with a blue velvet snood,
was rigid to following the rules, norms, lace frills, and the pearl pin. Jo
or laws of society. They were limited in maroon, with a stiff,
by doing something and should keep gentlemanly linen collar, and a
their attention toward social judgments. white chrysanthemum or two for
Meanwhile, also the equality value her only ornament...” (LW: 16)
seems at the last sentence in the
paragraph above. “And it's worse than The sentences “Meg’s in silvery drab,
ever now, for I'm dying to go and fight with a blue velvet snood, lace frills,
with Papa”. Jo expects when she has a and the pearl pin...” it means that
similar opportunity to go to the war ideally, a woman wears the gown like
with her father. Jo wishes to join with Meg’s style. But, its contrast with Jo’s
her father also another army to help style who wears the simple ornaments
and take care of the solder in the civil and gentlemanly linen collar. Jo wants
war. But, she cannot accompany her to challenge the social practice of the
father, because the law is forbidden for law or way of wearing clothes. When
the women to join in fights. Jo shows her style with a simple and
gentlemanly style, it means that Jo
“...Jo in maroon, with a stiff, wants to have equality with the man
gentlemanly linen collar, and a style.
white chrysanthemum or two for
her only ornaments.” (LW: 16) “Half a dozen jovial lads were
talking about skates in another
Similar to the excerpt before, the part of the room, and she longed
equality value is the style of Jo’s to go and join them, for skating
character who wears the costume like a was one of the joys of her life.
men style. But it is not all of part in her She telegraphed her to wish to
clothes, only the linen collar part of her Meg, but the eyebrows went up so
gowns. And also use the simple alarmingly that she dared not
ornaments. It is different from a normal stir…” (LW: 17)
woman’s style who wears the gowns
completely like Jo’s sister Meg. Another equality values seem in the
Besides, the different style of Jo’s paragraph above. Besides the wishes to
gown is to have an equal in wearing the the equal style of wearing clothes, Jo
custom-like another man’s style. Also, also tried to voice the equality between
the simple ornament is to show that Jo man and woman in choose the games.

57
In a sentence “she long to go and join refers to Jo, who interest to get high
them, for skating was one of her life...” education. But in fact, Jo cannot go to
Jo was very like playing skating college for formal education. It caused
although everybody knows that this is a by her family’s trouble income. Her
man’s game. Jo more interested in talks father lost most of his income helping
about the boy’s game like skating than an unfortunate friend. Perhaps it
dancing or gossip. But it was limited by influences the economy condition of
social practice and women in culture. Jo’s family. Jo wishes to aim to have
As her oldest sister, Meg who knows an equal opportunity to go to a college
the culture and norms as a good woman for education. It is indicated that
indicates Jo to avoid activity like Jo education is limited to all of the people
wants to do. at that time.
The value seems at the sentence Besides, the other factors that limit
“...she long to go and join them...” it the access of Jo’s education are caused
means that the effort of equality in by her activities at home. Jo was
playing the same games like the men. through everyday routines, working,
She refers to Jo who has wishes to join keeping house, and trying to be good
with them refers to men in the same people. Jo March and her sisters work
situation that they were talks about hard to keep their family together
skates. It supported by the phrase “...to despite poverty, war, illness, and
go and join them...” although Jo’s everyday troubles. That is why Jo
wishes are strongly, it cannot comes march and her sister should keep their
true, because there are warnings from wishes to have equal opportunity in
her sister not to doing that activity. higher education. But they did not want
Since Jo was very like to play the boy’s to lose their chances to get more
game and has the same opportunity to knowledge and education from their
talks more about this game, but it just daily activities, also the experience
becomes her wish. with their beloved mother “Marmee”.

“How I wish I was going to college! b. Difference

You don't look as if you liked it.” The second kind of feminist values is
the difference. Although equality and
Furthermore, Jo’s struggle to maintain difference are usually paired, the
her woman's rights to get equality like correct opposite of equality is
a Laurence as her boyfriend. Jo wishes inequality and the correct opposite of
to go to college like Laurence. But it difference is sameness. However, in
could not come true because of the terms of their dominant meanings in
limited access for a woman and a poor contemporary North American debates,
family. Contras with Jo, her boy equality relies on difference and
friend’s Laurence who lives next door difference relies on equality. For
as a nephew of a gentlemanly and rich example, equality aims to overcome
family. He got free access caused by particular differences.
his poverty and background of his self Thus, `Demands for equality have
as a man. rested on implicit and usually
It seems in the sentence “I wish I unrecognized arguments from
was going to college!” it means that “I” difference: if individuals or groups

58
were identical or the same there would way…” although Jo has long and thick
be no need to ask for equality. Equality hair was her one beauty, Jo did not
might well be defined as deliberate show it. Jo chooses to bundle her hair
indifference to specified differences'. into a net. It could be Jo to be loose of
Furthermore, the analysis of different her hair aim to show her beauty like
values in Little Women will explain by women in nature.
the excerpts below: Meanwhile, the researchers found
that the difference value of Jo’s
“…Fifteen-year-old Jo was very character toward her sister’s
tall, thin, and brown, and appearance. Like the previous part, the
reminded one of a colt, for she author wants to show the characteristic
never seemed to know what to do of Jo as a girl toward her sister as the
with her long limbs, which were girl too. All of the girls in the march
very much in her way. She had a family described very pretty, have a
decided mouth, a comical nose, good appearance, in a good manner as
and sharp, gray eyes, which well as the women in nature. But, it
appeared to see everything, and contras with Jo, who has brown skin,
were by turns fierce, funny, or with a flyaway of her clothes, also has
thoughtful. Her long, thick hair bad enough in the manner as an ideal
was her one beauty, but it was woman. This is supported by the
usually bundled into a net, to be paragraph below:
out of her way….”
“Round shoulders had Jo, big "Oh, Jo, you are not going to
hands and feet, a flyaway look to wear that awful hat? It's too
her clothes, and the absurd! You shall not make a guy
uncomfortable appearance of a of yourself, "remonstrated Meg,
girl who was rapidly shooting up as Jo tied down with a red ribbon
into a woman and didn't like it.” the broad-brimmed, old-
(LW: 4) fashioned leghorn Laurie had
sent for a joke. (LW: 82)
All of the characters in March families
were described by the author in the first The apparent difference of Jo with her
chapter in Little Women. It includes sisters seems on the same page of Little
Jo’s appearance like the excerpt above. Women. Her oldest sister Meg is more
It clearly describes Jo who has big beautiful than Jo. Elizabeth with a shy
hands and feet. Also the uncomfortable manner and have a bright-eyes like
appearance of a girl that makes Jo feels other girls of thirteen. And the last
unlike about it. The sentence “a Amy who has a bright skin with blue
flyaway look to her clothes…” shows eyes and always carrying herself like a
that Jo has a difference like the young lady mindful of her manners. It
common style of women. seems at the excerpts below:
Also, Jo’s apparently difference
toward her parts of body seems in a “Margaret, the eldest of the four,
sentence “…Her long, thick hair was was sixteen, and very pretty,
her one beauty, but it was usually being plump and fair, with large
bundled into a net, to be out of her eyes, plenty of soft brown hair, a

59
 sweet mouth, and white hands, of When Jo called as a gentlemanly name,
which she was rather vain…” for she has a psychological difference
(LW: 4) with her other sisters. It contrasts with
“Elizabeth, or Beth, as everyone her sister who has a feminine name.
called her, was a rosy, smooth-
haired, bright-eyed girl of "I hate my name, too, so
thirteen, with a shy manner, a sentimental! I wish everyone would
timid voice, and a peaceful say Jo instead of Josephine. (LW:
expression which was seldom 18)
disturbed. Her father called her
'Little Miss Tranquillity', and the The researchers took the example of a
name suited her excellently, for sentence bellow, which is Jo’s
she seemed to live in a happy expression in a different way of using
world of her own, only venturing her name also seems at the next page in
out to meet the few whom she the novel. If an ideal woman is
trusted and loved...”(LW: 4) vainglorious with her name and has a
feminine impression, it was in contrast
By the paragraphs above, it was proved with Jo perception. The researcher
that there is a difference between Jo found that there is a psychological
and her sisters. And the author difference in Jo. The main character
presented the four girls in the March with her full name Josephine did not
family in the Victorian period with want to be called as well as her
each style and characteristic. beautiful name.
Furthermore, to supports the difference It is such an indication of Jo’s
value of Jo, the researcher found that wishes to have her name, not to be
there is a sentence which contains a Josephine or Ms. March. The author
strong difference between Jo and third gently wrote that Jo more interest to
March girls as below: have a gentlemanly name than the
feminine one. It means that Jo is a
“…"Poor Jo! It's too bad, but it difference from other girls at that
can't be helped. So you must try period, which has a beautiful
to be contented with making your appearance and called like usual
name boyish, and playing brother woman name with a precious name or
to us girls," said Beth, stroking nickname.
the rough head with a hand that
all the dishwashing and dusting c. Choice
in the world could not make Later, Jo confesses to Laurie that she
ungentle in its touch…” (LW: 3) should at least try, but she seems
somehow certain of her failure. When
It was present the situation in her she does succeed and her two stories
family caused by her father work are published in Spread Eagles, her
outside of the home. So, the fourth girls secret is finally revealed. Her story,
live with their beloved Marmee. There “The Rival Painters” still unknown to
is no one man in their home. So that Jo her sisters is read out loud and
who has a tomboy and boyish style described as romantic, and somewhat
want to be called Jo, not Josephine. pathetic, as most of the characters died

60
in the end. Jo only reveals to her sister into despair, she abandoned the cap, as
that she wrote this story, after having if this little cap was to be held
received her sister‘s gratification and responsible for her failures. Yet, she
approval of the story. Though her found the discipline to write;
stories are published under her name, Discovering the financial aspect of
she is not paid for them. To see them literature, “she knows just what folks
published is more precious to Jo: like, and gets paid well for writing it”
(GW 175) Jo decides to leave her “mild
“…And he said it was good, and romances” for what they are, and taken
I shall write more, and he's going with great ambition, to have a go at this
to get the next paid for, and I am style. This decision, to adjust her
so happy, for in time I may be writing to the audience‘s desires, can
able to support myself and help only be seen as a choice of
the girls." Jo's breath gave out independence. Indeed, when her story
here, and wrapping her head in “full of desperation and despair” is
the paper, she bedewed her little published and paid for with a hundred
story with a few natural tears, for dollar bill, Jo does not only discover
to be independent and earn the that she has finally learned to do
praise of those she loved was the something well, she also enjoys the
dearest wishes of her heart, and taste of real independence as she
this seemed to be the first step “ceased to envy richer girls, taking
toward that happy end. (LW 106) great comfort in the knowledge that she
could supply her wants and need ask
For Jo, “that happy end” means to be no one for a penny” (GW 176). As
independent and self-sufficient and she such we could conclude that one of her
can achieve this with her writing. This trials has finally triumphed. As first
trivial publication is indeed quite indicated, if we are to read the story of
significant to achieve her goal. the March girls as the story of Jo, a
However, this tale is described as sentimental plot can certainly be found,
passionate and pathetic. Jo‘s stories are as Jo falls into financial destitution and
indeed quite sentimental, often ending is thus victimized by her class and
in multiple deaths and seem to eventually gender. Publishing her story
resemble the stories Louisa May Alcott and earning money helps her to gain
herself wrote and published financial independence and the strength
pseudonymously. not to pine away in envy of rich girls.
In the fourth chapter of Good "Well, I was wild to do something
Wives, the second part of the novel, for Father," replied Jo, as they
Literary Lessons, the reader discovers gathered about the table, for
that Jo has indeed evolved into a more healthy young people can eat
mature writer, with a real passion for even during trouble. "I hate to
writing. Certainly, writing seems to borrow as much as Mother does,
have become pure bliss for Jo and may and I knew Aunt March would
even be categorized as a ritual, adorned croak, she always does, if you ask
with some peculiar attributes, such as for ninepence. Meg gave all her
the cap, which was experienced by its quarterly salary toward the rent,
owner as good fortune, for if she fell and I only got some clothes with

61
 mine, so I felt wicked, and was itself, Jo will fight it, by any means
bound to have some money if I possible. Her behavior towards John
sold the nose off my face to get changes abruptly:
it."
"… It came to me all of a sudden “…For a week or two, Jo
that I had one thing to make behaved so queerly that her
money out of, and without sisters were quite bewildered.
stopping to think, I walked in, She rushed to the door when the
asked if they bought hair, and postman rang, was rude to Mr.
what they would give for mine." Brooke whenever they met, would
sit looking at Meg with a woe-
The troubles of Jo’s family were begone face, occasionally
complicated when the telegram from jumping up to shake and then kiss
the hospital in Washington Dc came to her in a very mysterious manner.
her house. The message told about her (LW: 105)…”
father which bad condition. He got sick
and need more help at least the Furthermore, when questioning Meg
attendances of Mrs. March. But it is too about her feelings for the young
hard when they thought about the price gentleman, Jo seems to judge her sister
because they do not have money for her loving feelings; “If he did speak,
enough. Then by the helping of Hanna, you wouldn't know what to say, but
Laurence also all of the daughters, it would cry or blush or let him have his
could be easier than the previous way, instead of giving a good, decided
situation. no”(LW 150). Additionally, Jo strongly
Here the researchers found that believes that marriage, as we have
how great the value of Jo’s decision to already seen, ruins a family.
help her mother. Without knowing of As is clear from this passage, Jo
her family, she sold her beautiful hair has a misguided idea of romance, an
in a barber. She wants to give idea nourished by sentimental literature
something to her father. She did not which she reproduces in her own
want to lend some money with the stories. Indeed, in her description, Meg
ether people, or just sold her clothes. is suddenly turned into a foolish,
But she tried to prove her independence senseless and idle girl while John is
to make her decision and finally, she turned into the typical new, selfish hero.
chooses to sacrifice her vanity. Well, Jo Yet, what is most striking in her speech
was bravery to face her problem and is how much she will lose if her sister
also her family’s problem than make it does engage in the nuptial union, for
easier behind the difficultness. then she will end up with the broken
As the researcher has already heart. This is true quite an unusual
observed, Jo‘s rebellion against choice of words to express her
femininity is caused by her anxieties disappointment. Later on, Jo elaborates
towards the domestication of the on her feelings, claiming that she had
woman. As such, she rejects the idea of hoped for a match between Laurie and
marriage whenever it rises. Indeed, Meg. Nevertheless, the words “broken
when the blooming romance of her heart” is more appropriate in a lovers’
elder sister Meg and her John announce quarrel. This expression, her conviction

62
that a union between a man and a the mother tea and gruel, and
woman is unnatural and her boyish comforted her with promises of
manners, has led many critics to help, while she dressed the baby
believe that Jo might be a lesbian. as tenderly as if it had been her
Jo‘s realization is immediately own. The girl's meantime spread
followed by a new revelation. On the table, set the children round
finding Pr Baer’s letter “her lips began the fire, and fed them like so
to tremble, the books slid out of her lap, many hungry birds, laughing,
and she sat looking at the friendly talking, and trying to understand
words, as if they took a new meaning, the funny broken English. (LW:
and touched a tender spot in her heart. 11)
“Wait for me, friend. I may be a little
late, but I shall surely come” (GW 281). The researcher found that Jo’s
After reading this note, Jo seems to fall character that also has scarifies to help
apart, crying her heart out, wishing that the people who need care. It seems in
this promise would be fulfilled. The the paragraphs above, which is her
narrator had already foreshadowed this lovely Mother also Jo’s entire March
turn of event, in chapter 11, as their sister. As the researcher said in the
German lessons are described as second chapter before, Sevenhuijsen
“laying a foundation for the sensation (1998) (in Hughes: 2002:127) defines
story of her own life” (GW 230). ethics of care as a focus on values such
However, now that the sensation story as `attentiveness to the need for care,
of her life is about to begin, the willingness to accept responsibility for
narrator will leave us in suspense, others as well as for the results of
suddenly questioning her sorrow and actions, and responsiveness'. So that
pain. the values of giving care from Jo’s
family to a poor family, and it
d. Care continued with giving food for them.
As the researcher had ever explained
the concept of care in the second e. Time
chapter, now the analysis toward the Time is feminism's latent concept.
care value of Little Women will be Feminist research has challenged the
described in the next paragraphs. dominance of linear clock time through
analyses that illustrate how this form of
"Ach, Mein Gott! It is good time shapes our material realities and
angels come to us!" said the poor our understanding of selfhood and
woman, crying for joy. development. Here the researcher
"Funny angels in hoods and found that Jo’s character is
mittens," said Jo, and set them to displacement the head of the family to
laughing. help their income. It through Jo’s
In a few minutes, it did seem as if activity sold her hair and then give her
kind spirits had been at work money to her mother. It seems at the
there. Hannah, who had carried paragraph below:
wood, made a fire and stopped up
the broken panes with old hats "… I will confess, though, I felt
and her cloak. Mrs. March gave queer when I saw the dear old

63
 hair laid out on the table, and felt "We'll work like bees, and love it
only the short rough ends of my too, see if we don't," said Jo. "I'll
head. It almost seemed as if I'd learn plain cooking for my
an arm or leg off. The woman holiday task, and the next dinner
saw me look at it and picked out party I have shall be a
a long lock for me to keep. I'll success."(LW: 78)
give it to you, Marmee, just to
remember past glories by, for a From the narration above, the
crop is so comfortable I don't researcher found that that experience
think I shall ever have a mane value seems at the words” I'll plain
again." cooking for my holiday task, and the
next dinner party I have shall be a
Since Jo as the daughter of the March success” it means that, in a previous
family, but she gave her responsibility time Jo made a failure in cooking
in supporting their economy income. activity. So that through her experience
The author in Little Women's novel before she wants to prove that she can
tried to describe the strengths of Jo as a do it well.
strong woman whether her mother also Experience as the kind of
keeps her fights to face their problems. feminist value is a crucial part, it is
But the author makes it clear enough because through her experience so that
for Jo got money to help their the women can face their future. When
economic problem. Since the big the women met a failure or troubles in
responsibility of a family was ideally is their lives, it could be helped by many
a father's responsibility. experiences in the past. Besides, that
Furthermore, Jo’s displacement of Jo’s failure in her activity before
the head family’s responsibility to save increased her knowledge and make her
their economy income, also prove that strongly believe in her heart that She
the woman could be the breadwinner in can do it better than before. Also, she
a family at home. It marked by the believes that she will success un the
strong characters in this novel made by next time.
strong women, March’s family consists Although Jo was strong enough to
of Marmee, Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy. keep her spirit become a success, it also
Uts clearly shows that even though needs her mother’s attention. Her
their father does not home, but they mother gave motivation and also
still survived trough their lives. satisfaction toward Jo’s effort become
better than before. It was a symbol of
f. Experience the relationship between Jo March and
The experience is a story of women her beloved mother to increase her
itself and also their relationship with experience and support her challenge.
each other in social life. Through their It seems in the paragraph below:
experience before, the women could be
fighting to maintain their rights such My Dear:
through some activity in women I write a little word to tell you
organization that has similar with how much satisfaction I
experiences in the past. Let see at the watch your efforts to control your
excerpt below: temper. You say nothing about

64
 your trials, failures, or successes, marginalization of their rights. Alcott
and think, perhaps, that no one was strongly talking about the feminist
sees them but the Friend whose story behind the characters in a novel,
help you daily ask, if I may trust and it seemed in her main characters in
the well-worn cover of your a novel that is “Jo”.
guidebook. I, too, have seen them After conducting this research, the
all, and heartily believe in the researcher finds some important points
sincerity of your resolution, since in the feminist analysis of Little
it begins to bear fruit. Go on, Women. The first one is about equality
dear, patiently and bravely, and value. Little Women novel dominantly
always believe that no one tells about the equality values. Here the
sympathizes more tenderly with figure of Jo is needed to have similar
you than your loving...Mother; equality between women and men.
(LW: 80) The second one is about the
difference value. The difference value
Since Jo’s character has emotionally, it seems at some part and chapter in this
was changed when she tried to be calm novel. Through the figure of Jo, Alcott
than before. As the author said in a wishes to presents the difference value
paragraph above, Jo’s effort in in that period such the psychological
controlling her emotionally was a difference, the way of thinking, also
success and got her mother's apparently difference. The third is the
satisfaction. Her mother believes that Choice value. It was some important
Jo could be more patiently, bravery, value, that maintains the women's
also belive with her beloved family. rights to have their independently
Besides, through Jo’s experience choice based on herself. The fourth is
in the past, it was helping her about care. But in this novel, Alcott
relationship with everyone become a was not too many talks about it. And
good attitude and controlling her the last is time and experience value.
emotions. It avoided her troubles
toward the environment of her daily 5. REFERENSI
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