“You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone.”
~Louisa May Alcott
…and happy all alone. That describes me to a tee.
Aside from the obvious that I resemble Jo March most in being “the writer,” that awkward individual too devoted to perfecting her talents that she figuratively has her head in the clouds, I took a quiz that claimed I was more like her youngest sister, Amy.

Quiz can be found on PBS
Whether or not there’s any truth to this assessment, I can’t be sure. Well, except that I am the youngest in the family and that I determined to tour Europe again (the right way).
That, of course, should be left for another story entirely.
Perhaps I take after both characters: Jo, for her boldness and independence; Amy for her artistic endeavors. After running around my house in search of the classic book, I decided to open to a random page, this one about Amy’s artistic pursuits – which were many.
It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambigitous young men and women. Amy was learning this distinction through much tribulation; for, mistaking enthusiasm for inspiration, she attempted every branch of art with youthful audacity.
And, over the past few years, I could say something the same about myself. To name a few: landscape and travel photography, writing poetry and song lyrics, interior design, and bullet journaling. Although many of these I have chosen not to pursue, landscape and travel photography is the only one I could see myself doing in the future.
Of course the writer in me will always win. Perusing the book for some of my favorite passages that I underlined, I found one on Jo March, which aside from its humor is still quite relevant to me.
“An old maid, that’s what I’m to be. A literary spinster, with a pen for a spouse, a family of stories for children, and twenty years hence a morsel of fame, perhaps; when, like poor Johnson, I’m old, and can’t enjoy it, solitary, and can’t share it, independent, and don’t need it. Well I needn’t be a sour saint nor a selfish sinner; and, I dare say, old maids are very comfortable when they get used to it; but–” and there Jo sighed, as if the prospect was not inviting.
So which one is it? I can’t exactly say, because I seem to have adapted some of who I am from both characters.
Are there any characters in books you relate to? Who in Little Women might you be?
May 11, 2018 at 8:51 am
I can’t wait to watch this version!
May 11, 2018 at 9:04 am
Cool, I think I will always love the Wyonna Ryder version. But at some point I may watch the mini-series.
May 12, 2018 at 8:31 am
I love the 1994 Little Women version too =) I admit I prefer it to the mini-series, after having seen both!
May 12, 2018 at 8:43 am
I have yet to see the mini-series version and am a stickler for definitive version of books like the 94 version was for Little Women and the 95 version of Pride and Prejudice.
May 24, 2018 at 6:54 am
Ohhhhh you sound like a kindred spirit – the 1995 Pride and Prejudice is my favorite too! The 1994 Little Women version has the feeling of childhood innocence and hope and courage to it that Little Women Part 1 is brimming with.
May 24, 2018 at 7:09 am
We might be! I am sure I will discuss more TV related connections.
June 4, 2018 at 12:42 am
I absolutely love the phrase “literary spinster”. I caught that line in the new TV adaptation when Jo said it then. 🙂
I find myself to have some Jo in me (although I’m not quite so bold as her), with a bit of Beth, I believe… I’ve read Little Women a couple times now, and each time you re-read something like that, you pick up on different nuances in characters… and you find yourself understanding some of the other characters better. It’s good to re-read a classic every few years to monitor how one has grown.
Would you be interested in joining my Louisa May Alcott reading challenge this June? (+ there’s a giveaway!) Details are on my blog.
Tarissa
http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com
June 4, 2018 at 12:48 am
Hi Tarissa, I’m such a slow reader that I likely won’t participate. But I should consider re-reading the book sometime. I live relatively close to Concord, so I could even visit her home if I wanted.
June 4, 2018 at 1:04 am
Ah! YES! I want to visit Orchard House someday myself. It’s kind of on my bucket list. 😀