Home > Little Women Summary & Study Guide > quickNotes > Themes
Little Women | Themes
Each March girl is on a "pilgrimage," a journey of moral transformation that will mark her coming of age. The point of embarkation is Father's letter. Each girl responds to it with a vow to "be better" and do her duty to the household. The novel depicts progress made as the girls undergo, separately or together, a series of trials by which selfish temptations are overcome. A persistent theme is that selfless, spiritual values bring happiness and comfort. When the several sisters first voice discontent, Beth recalls how Meg had said that "we were a deal happier than the King children, for...
[The entire page is 739 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
- Little Women: Overview
- Little Women: About the Author
- Little Women: Setting
- Little Women: Themes and Characters
- Little Women: Literary Qualities
- Little Women: Characters
- Little Women: Social Concerns
- Little Women: Themes
- Little Women: Topics for Discussion
- Little Women: Techniques
- Little Women: Literary Precedents
- Little Women: Ideas for Reports and Papers
- Little Women: Related Titles / Adaptations
- Little Women: Ideas for Group Discussions
- Little Women: For Further Reference
- Copyright
Tell a friend about Little Women at eNotes.
