Alcott, Old Maids, and Discontentment

Image by Ylanite from Pixabay 

In my last post, I wrote about Little Women and the struggle people often have with unforgiveness. Another thing in life that people often grapple with, which is pertinent to the discussion of Alcott’s classic, is discontentment.

Towards the end of the story, Jo begins to recognize her growing discontentment and loneliness. Hearing about Laurie’s love for Amy, she retires to her beloved attic and reflects on being alone. Although she tries to comfort herself with the idea that “old maids” can be happy, Jo feels that “the prospect was not inviting” (Alcott 467). In a surprising twist of the story, the fiery, independent Jo desires marriage because she is discontented with being alone.

Alcott assures us that women at 25 or in their 30s who have not yet married do not have it too bad, but she does reveal the general attitude of her time that such women “miss the blossom time” of life (467). While modern readers would laugh at the idea that a woman at 25 or 30 is an “old maid,” the idea of a person being discontent with singleness continues to prevail even in the modern age.

Writing for a specific period, Alcott had to marry off Jo to someone, as this was expected of women. Alcott did not like this expectation or the idea that a woman’s only purpose was to be married. Hence, she promised herself not to marry Jo to Laurie. She recorded in her journal that, “Girls write to ask who the little women marry, as if that was the only end and aim of a woman’s life. I won’t marry Jo to Laurie to please any one” (Alcott and Cheney 201).

Of course, this intention has sparked a continual debate among fans about whom Jo should have ended up with. Some readers have argued that her marriage to Professor Bhaer is satisfying since the Professor is better suited to her personality. Alcott spent a great deal of time trying to convince us of this through the character of Marmee and through the subtle hints from Jo, though some might wonder if this was forced. Other ardent fans argue that Jo should have ended up with her best friend, Teddy.

            Books with alternate endings of Alcott’s classic now exist to satisfy the fans who wanted things to end differently for Jo. For instance, in Jo & Laurie, the authors Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz create a different version where Jo and Laurie end up together. Another similar book is Trix Wilkins’ The Courtship of Jo March: a variation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, which also provides an alternate course of events, including a variation of what it would have been like if Beth had survived. 

To add my opinion to the debate, I think that Jo should have stayed single as her real-life counterpart did (Louisa May Alcott). Singleness fits her character. Even if my opinion may be unpopular, and maybe even in the minority, I think it does align more with Alcott’s own intentions for the story. She wanted the March girls to make their own decisions, though she was limited in what they could choose since the predominant view of Alcott’s time was that a woman had to marry to live a happy and fulfilled life.   

            Today, people have the same idea. In our society, we are taught that we will be happy, fulfilled, worthy, and purposeful if only we _____ (insert: get married, obtain a certain degree, land our dream job, have children, buy that expensive home, etc.). Long after the days of Louisa May Alcott, people still assume that they can only be happy if specific situations occur.

            But can any person, position, prestige, or promotion give us true fulfillment?

            The great philosopher and theologian Augustine did not think so. He wrote in his famous work, Confessions, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” Augustine had much of what the world claims will satisfy the human heart: renown and numerous romantic relationships. However, he came to realize that only the true God of the Bible could fulfill him.  

            I agree with Augustine’s declaration and believe that fulfillment and joy can only come by knowing Jesus Christ. Other things in life can be good, but a person only discovers abundant life and lasting satisfaction in the Lord (John 10:10). Unlike anyone else in life, Jesus will always stay (Matthew 28:20), always listen (1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 5:14-15), and love us unconditionally (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing can compare with what Jesus offers us.

            The discussions about Jo and Teddy, or Jo and Professor Bhaer will continue, especially as new readers encounter the story. Such debates have sparked the imagination of many people, inspiring them to write retellings of the beloved classic. As we enjoy Alcott’s work and its derivatives, though, we need to remember that the loneliness and restlessness that Jo felt, which mirrors the way many people feel at some point in their lives, can never be fully satisfied by a person, item, or title.

In Christ alone, we find the answer to our inner discontentment.

 

Works Cited

• Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. Sterling Children’s Books, 2004.
• Alcott, Louisa May, and Ednah Dow Littlehale Cheney. Louisa May Alcott, Her Life, Letters, and Journals. Roberts Brothers, 1889. Project Gutenberg, https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/38049/pg38049-images.html.   
• Augustine. Confessions. Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1427207-confessiones.