Discussion Topic
The financial status and history of the March family in Little Women
Summary:
The March family in Little Women faces financial difficulties due to Mr. March losing their fortune by helping a friend and then serving as a chaplain in the Civil War. This leaves the family with modest means, relying on Mrs. March's charity work and the girls' various jobs to sustain themselves, fostering a sense of resilience and self-reliance.
How did the March family lose their money in Little Women?
The precise details of the Marches' financial embarrassment are never actually spelled out. All that we're told is that Mr. March lost his property trying to help out an “unfortunate friend.” It seems that perhaps Mr. March extended some kind of loan to a friend down on his luck but that the friend didn't repay him, thus plunging Mr. March and his family into serious financial difficulties.
We already know that Mr. March is a kind, decent, considerate man. But he also seems to be something of a softie, which would explain his fateful decision to help out a friend in need. A good man he may be, but Mr. March's kindness has inadvertently put his family in dire financial straits, so much so that his two oldest daughters, Meg and Jo, beg to be allowed to do something to support themselves.
Mr. and Mrs. March agree, believing that it's...
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never too early to instill values of hard work and industry into their daughters. Before long, Meg has found work as a nursery governess, one of the few career options available to women at that time. Even though her salary is tiny, she still feels rich all the same.
For her part, Jo is waiting on her wealthy Aunt March, who is ill and needs someone to be her companion. Later on, Aunt March replaces Jo with Amy.
Is the March family rich or poor in Little Women?
The term "shabby-genteel" is no longer quite as common as it once was, but it perfectly encapsulates the socioeconomic status of the March family in Little Women. Poor but outwardly respectable, the Marches are a classic example of what it means to have no money but still be respected by the local community.
Once upon a time, the Marches were very well off. But after a business deal between Mr. March and a friend went sour, they were suddenly plunged into poverty. This explains why they are poor but still outwardly respectable.
Things are bad for the Marches, but they're still quite lucky compared to many poor folk at that time and place. For one thing, Mr. March is still able to earn money as a Union chaplain in the Civil War. It's not much, but it's better than nothing.
But when Mr. March gets sick, the family are plunged into serious trouble. Marmee wants to go to Washington DC in order to tend to him but cannot afford the fare. For that, she has to rely on Jo to sell some of her hair, as well as ask wealthy Aunt March for some financial assistance.
Aunt March duly obliges, but not without telling Marmee that she always thought it was a bad idea for Mr. March to join the army in the first place. Despite Aunt March's ill-tempered response, she can be relied upon to help out the family whenever they're in dire straits.