jo the whole book: i don’t love you romantically, i couldn’t learn to love you romantically, i see you as a brother, i love you as a brother jo/laurie shippers: lets just ignore her entire characterization
if they where just the greatest of friends and the topic would not, or only slightly mentioned in passing, yeah, why not, but with it being such a big plotpoint I absolutly do not get it and even less, why people hate on Amy for stealing him from jo . . . wth she did not even want him!
This was such a fascinating video and I loved hearing your thoughts on Little Women. I've never been very interested in reading this book but your analysis I'd love to pick it up.
I have a really similar experience with Little Women--it was a childhood favorite that I reread as an adult and felt let down by the preachiness of the second volume. That's why I think the new film is so much more special than we give it credit for. Gerwig kept the moral heart of the book but made it fit more with the childhood stories than the book does. I HATE how in the second volume Jo stops writing her sensation stories because the professor says they're immoral! It makes no sense! I think you're totally right that this is the way Alcott would have wanted the story to be told and I am so thankful to have such a beautiful film in the world! Thanks for this video, it was superb!
Thank you for this video, it was super interesting and a very informative exploration, I loved it. It’s always frustrating when people (real life or the book), say that Jo broke Laurie’s heart. Laurie spoiled their friendship, by not knowing the difference between being friends and lovers, just because Jo is of a different gender to him. You’ve just added another layer to that.
i find this so interesting! considering gender and sexuality for historical figures, i mean. we cannot know, but i also feel like speculating is completely harmless. because these individuals that are long gone, and all we have is what they left behind, why shouldnt a trans guy get to see louis as a trans man AND a lesbian get to see louis as a lesbian? its not a case thats ever gonna be closed, in the grand scheme of things it doesnt matter, but to a few people it can mean a lot to find echoes of themselves in history. but maybe thats why its such a sensitive topic: when one interpretation means so much to you, it might feel a bit personal if other people dont see it the same way. idk! just speculating! i think you did a wonderful job of approaching this topic, and everything else in this video was super interesting as well! i love hearing about the publishers demands and the boring material stuff that limits and impacts an authors work, its such crucial context imo.
Thank you! Yes this is exactly how I feel. Personally I find a lot to identify with Jo / Louis as a queer woman, but that doesn't negate that they could just as easily have been a trans man and that interpretation is equally valid! I'm really glad you saw what I was trying to say with this :)
“That’s Louie’s punishment to you for shipping Jo and Laurie”; or its Alcott’s rebellion against publisher’s requirements that Jo be married. That is legitimately annoying . “Oh, I have to marry her off , do I? Ok fine.” In her place I would’ve been annoyed too; I also would’ve married the character off and then immediately windowed her... but I’m kinda glad Alcott didn’t do it my way, because it probably would’ve cost them The publishing deal.
If you read Louie's short stories (many published anonymously) there is a common theme of men's inability to see women for who they really are. I think your questions about gender identity are valid, but biased by our modern context. I think Louie was more interested in an expansive femininity.
I agree. I think she wanted women to believe that they could be more than just prim and proper, and that they could do "manly" things while still being women, considering that seems to be a theme in her work
But a person can be a trans man and simultaneously be a fervent feminist like the lines above about “how men/society perceive women”. It doesn’t have to be one or the other and a lot of trans people are hardcore feminists who justify pretending to be cisgender (not trans) and hence Denying their transness through some feminist reasoning like “I’ll show them that women can be xyz also” -- but consistently feeling uncomfortable and also knowing that it’s REALLY hard to be openly trans and actually pursue those things in this society. It’s a lot “easier” to find a way to deny it and find a way to live in society as one’s assigned gender. Of course, there are cis people throughout history who don’t fit the gender mold and are feminist and absolutely not trans, but they wouldn’t long to be born another way … I’m just saying that these things do not have to be mutually exclusive … and of myself and other trans people I know, they often aren’t.
@@laurel3084 agree, having interest in male coded stuff is not the same as perciving yourself to be male or wanting to be male, especialy not if what is allowed to females is as extreamly limited as at that time. I, even in our time of "equality", have very noticably "male" tendencies as having chosen a male dominated profession (building furnitue from wood), wearing a lot of cloths made with men in mind, have next to no "typicly female" interests . . . that in no way makes me trans/male
I actually loved Jo and her husband, I thought he was exactly who she needed. She was never ever in love with Laurie, she said that many times. I’m really happy that Louie didn’t listen to the audience and left them alone (even if I’m not a fan of who Laurie ended up with -that was kinda... forced)
I’d never read Little Women so Gerwig’s adaptation was my way in and it seemed like a really clever interpretation. Thanks for fleshing that out more! It was interesting to hear some more background and theories and interpretations. It must’ve been hard to imagine even the way women live in our society now during Alcott’s era, eh? Maybe Laddie was her Professor and she flipped the age to be era appropriate? Who knows but that’s one thought I had that you didn’t touch upon. I do like the anti-shipping attitude though, since a lot of friendship narratives are reinvented as romantic, especially now. Obv people can read things any way they want to but I do like seeing examples where the authors protected their intention once in awhile.
Wow. I just saw the 2019 film and have yet to read the book. I also tried to as a kid but didn’t feel it much … and now I’m VERY curious to dive into that. I didn’t know much about the story and definitely did not expect to see myself reflected in Jo so much. As a trans man, I have to say that a lot of longings that Jo has in the story are textbook trans experiences. Her siblings calling her “brother” inparticular, her shortening her name to a boys name, consistently preferring to dress as a boy and enjoying the company of fellow boys to be silly with. Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten that Louise attributed their desire to be a boy based on an attraction to women, and here are some ways to think about that. First of all, even though it was taboo to be gay back then, I think it was more well known than being trans. I think the latter seemed impossible (hormone therapy wasn’t even an option back then, was it?) and hence Jo could only long that she was born as a boy and make due w what she had - many trans people feel this way. On the other hand, I don’t suspect that every gay person throughout history wished to be born as the opposite gender, or at least more than a whim. There are gay men and women throughout history who know that their relationships are not accepted by societies standards - many have almost been erased from history - but those individuals have not pretended to be another gender or longed for that in order to gain the privilege of being “straight”. I just don’t see this in historical same sex pairings tbh. Maybe I’m speaking out of tone again but I think it’s much harder to be trans than to be gay/bi. For a gay person to pursue transness in order to access straight privilege … it’s adding even more stress to their lives. I suppose it isn’t impossible but I think very rare, especially considering that during Louise’ time, transness wasn’t a concept like it is today. As a trans man myself who is attracted to both men and women, I know that if I was able to live as a boy throughout my young life that I surely would have had a VERY different adolescence and dating history. I can’t speak for all trans people but for myself, I can see how being trans and hence, not being able to live as my full self when I was younger … held me back from dating and expressing myself w potential partners. It wasn’t something I was conscious of at the time, but I understand now that it’s really undesirable to be a “gay women” when in fact you know yourself to be a man. I never wanted to dress butch bc that would be claiming my assigned gender and agreeing that I am a “masculine women”, which I am not - I’m a man. Of course, not all trans people feel this way but it’s something I can relate to A LOT. I think being trans and knowing that you cannot fully be yourself can complicates things like romance an awful lot. I am really curious now to read Louise’ diaries. I also added a link of an article that goes into more details about why not just Jo but Laurie as well are transgender. Thanks for this video and yes, I would say that using “they/them” pronouns for Louise is the right thing to do. Merry Christmas ! the-niche.blog/2020/02/01/jo-and-laurie-are-trans-and-ill-prove-it/amp/
I became obsessed with Little Women last year and LOVE the new film so much. I'd highly recommend Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Anne Boyd Rioux to get more of the story and how LW has been received/adapted/etc. since its publication.
I think wanting to have the rights that men had, (to freely dress and smoke and get degrees and earn money and remain single and travel and vote and inherit) is a different thing than wanting to be a man.
While this is very true, I think some of the quotes given by Alcott, such as the ones referring to directly wanting to be a man, as well as stating to like women along with this, can imply that they could have been trans. Or not. We will probably never know.
Oh this is such a very fantastic video! I’m so so happy you made this. I did know quite a bit of LMA’s background but hearing it but this way alongside the book adds an extra layer!
This is a very interesting video, and I completely agree with most of your argument... except the premise. I very much believe that once a book is published and the story has been told by the author, it is for the readers to interpret. That's why we write essays, and why Jo Rowling, for example, randomly establishing new canon on Twitter feels so off. I don't think it's for anyone to say what fictional characters "should" and "shouldn't" be shipped. If people want to ship Jo and Laurie (or Jo and Bhaer, or Amy and Laurie, or Laurie and John, etc. ad nauseam), let them - it doesn't change or detract from Louis/Louisa's intention or how things ended up in the book. Why police how people choose to enjoy a fictional story? Unless it's actually hurting anyone, surely it's their prerogative.
Oh obviously I agree with that. People can do what they like! I’m being a bit glib when I say “stop shipping them” - just a jokey preface to the video :)
I just finished reading little women after seeing the movie in December, and I’ve basically been thinking about it nonstop since so I’m so happy you made this video. I’d never read the book before but always had this idea that I hated the story, essentially just because of how depressing I knew the ending of jo’s story was. But seeing the movie gave me that different perspective I needed to enjoy the story. Really appreciate learning all this new info about the author, as I haven’t gotten much farther than their Wikipedia page. So many different things to talk story-wise but since you ended on Laurie and Amy’s relationship, I ended up being really happy with how that ended up in the book too. I felt they had an equal partnership and loved how honest they could be with each other. When amy says that she‘d “be respected if she couldn’t be loved” to Laurie at the end of the book I was so shocked, I had figured they must have written that line for the movie. Also while reading I got a sense of just how much Laurie wanted to be a part of the March family, and while at one time that meant wanting to be with jo it was a natural progression for him to end up with Amy, as opposed to the betrayal id always considered it before. So many things to think about! I’m so glad I ended up giving this book a second chance haha
Okay, I need to read about LMA’s real life, are there any specific books that you would recommend? Loved this video and the way you did it, thanks for sharing!
I’ve done A LOT of reading about her and have visited Orchard House many times (the “Home of Little Women”) and talked to the tour guides. For straight up biographies, I would recommend The Woman Behind Little Women by Harriet Reisen and Marmee and Louisa by Eve LaPlante. The latter goes in depth into Louisa’s mother’s life, but it makes connections with Louisa’s life. If you’re feeling scholarly, try Louisa May Alcott by Madeleine Stern, Selected Letters, and The Journals of Louisa May Alcott. Also Little Women Abroad. I actually DNFed the Stern biography because I found it kind of dry, but I don’t know, you might enjoy it! Whatever you do, stay away from Louisa May Alcott by Susan Cheever. It alleges that Louisa’s father sexually abused her and while we don’t know for sure he did or not, I don’t think it’s an accusation to throw around, especially when it involves people who have been dead for over a century. But yeah that’s just my ramblings, go forth and read!
What Victoria Read also if you don’t already have a copy of Little Women, or if you want another one The Annotated Little Women by John Matteson is great and was kind of my introduction to Louisa’s life. It’s an absolutely gorgeous addition that contextualizes Little Women with details from Louisa’s life. Also Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Anne Boyd Rioux is a great book about Little Women, how it came about, how it compared to similar literature of the time, and why people still read it today. It talks about the different adaptations, minus the new Greta Gerwig one! Sorry I’ll stop.
Hi, Aunt Joe's scrapbag by Louisa May Alcott is a semi-autobiographical book. There a stories in it but parts are full of her thoughts feelings and experiences. I really enjoyed it as it is so cleverly written.
I'm reading it right now and loved the first book but am STRUGGLING through the second. I really appreciate this new perspective. You touched on a lot of things I had a feeling about but wasn't ready to articulate.
I have literally never wanted to read this book because I HATED that in the old movies they just married her off. It made NO sense but NOW I need to read it with this knowledge. Do more book reviews like this!!!
I’m from the US and putting them together is definitely an American thing. I stumbled on a box set from the UK and there are 4 not 3 like there is here.
great video! this makes a lot of sense to me now because i read little women once when i was like 10 and don't remember anything about jo getting married to some professor. personally, as much as i think authorial intent is important, i think it's subordinate to reader's interpretation. i get that jo and laurie and any other shipper can be annoying, and i know louisa did not want us to ship them, but i also don't think it matters because i think it falls to the reader to choose what they see in and take away from books. my first ever ship was ron and hermione, and jk rowling coming out saying she regrets making them a couple means nothing to me. she has her opinion and i have mine! anyway, i don't ship jo and laurie but i remember wanting them together when i was 10. i need to watch the movie and read the book again! louisa's story seems so interesting and i wish we could see how a modern age louisa would present themselves.
Yes I totally agree with the readers right to interpret however they want, but this story totally changed the way I felt about these characters and the book as a whole!
@@DrinkingByMyShelf that's true, and i can totally see why. i think going back to read it as an adult and knowing more about louisa and their thought process will make the book better for me too
I loved Little Women as a child, and did see Jo as a role model. Actually, even here in the US where it was one book, I barely remembered anything from the second half. I probably read it about 50 years ago and unlike many books from my childhood, it's just as I remember it, so not a lot of things I tuned out because they didn't mean anything to me at that age. I started the re-read after having read one paragraph in a review of the new movie, alluding to Jo maybe being trans, and hence maybe so too the author who fashioned the caracter after her own life. And I have to say, my jaw kind of fell open. I agree that we cannot label someone after their death, certainly not with an identity that didn't even exist as a concept for them in life, but surely, if LMA wrote some version of that story today, readers would be constantly asking if Jo was trans. I don't need her to be. I would wish non-conformity on all children, regardless of gender identity,. I thank you, though, for filling in in some of those details about LMA. I struggle a little around calling them Louis, but I hadn't known it was *their* choice. And yes, I think yur pronoun choice is spot on. I just stumbled over this video. and I guess I should first look at some more and see what your general interests are, but I wonder if you read/re-read Harriet the Spy? That was another favorite from my childhood. It didn't quite read the way I remembered it, but there's another sad story, or, rather I assume there is, as it is surely a book about non-conforming or gender non-conforming children, and somehow people were allowed to write sequels after the author's death which totally change the personalities of the characters, and make them get in line with gendered expectations.
Super interesting. I re-read little women before I saw the film, but then read good wives afterwards. I adored the film. I had little women as one of my books of the year last year. But good wives put me into a reading slump!! I just didn't enjoy it half as much. I have never researched LMA at all, so everything you said was interesting. I'd thought about Jo possibly identifying as trans whilst I read it, but hadn't ever extrapolated that to the author, as I wasn't aware of what you said. Really interesting to watch ❤️
@@DrinkingByMyShelf as with the whole series it's published as one book or as two: Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys (1871) Jo's Boys and How They Turned Out: A Sequel to "Little Men" (1886) Little Men are about Jo and her husband's orphanage basically. If I remember correctly in Jo's Boys Jo is either dead or is dying. Little Men talks a lot about her relationship with these boys.
What you said at the start was very interesting I took little Women out of the Library and the edition also had Good Wives published with it (It was a Wordsworth edition) I didnt finish the book partly because I was hoping to read it before Christmas and didnt actually start it til' nearly New Year . I did enjoy the 70-90 pages i read
I love this video! So nuanced! I think we try to define people by our standards because identity is so important to us but it's important to see real historical figured as the unique individuals that they were. Thanks for putting the time in to really paint a picture of their life and words!
this was fascinating! I didn't grow up with the story and only recently learned about it through the film. I just got the book (which I assume is only the first one) from my library and getting to know a bit of the history behind it made me even more excited to read it. Have a lovely day! (^_____^)/ ~Lay
Before I watch this - to avoid spoilers, could anyone please tell me, is this video only about Little Women or does it contain spoilers for Good Wives as well?
Here the link to Amazon.com site of my play Jo & Louisa. We are totally on the same wave length. I think you'll LOVE it: www.amazon.com/JO-LOUISA-Play-Isabella-Russell-Ides/dp/1693566419/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Jo+%26+Louisa+by+isabella+russell-ides&qid=1583175373&s=books&sr=1-1
Hahaha I know 😂 but I said at the beginning they always asked to be called Louis by their friends and family - just like Josephine March is always called Jo.
jo the whole book: i don’t love you romantically, i couldn’t learn to love you romantically, i see you as a brother, i love you as a brother
jo/laurie shippers: lets just ignore her entire characterization
if they where just the greatest of friends and the topic would not, or only slightly mentioned in passing, yeah, why not, but with it being such a big plotpoint I absolutly do not get it and even less, why people hate on Amy for stealing him from jo . . . wth she did not even want him!
This was such a fascinating video and I loved hearing your thoughts on Little Women. I've never been very interested in reading this book but your analysis I'd love to pick it up.
If it helps, I don’t particularly enjoy literature from that time period, but Little Women got me. “Work” is another great book by LMA!
I have a really similar experience with Little Women--it was a childhood favorite that I reread as an adult and felt let down by the preachiness of the second volume. That's why I think the new film is so much more special than we give it credit for. Gerwig kept the moral heart of the book but made it fit more with the childhood stories than the book does. I HATE how in the second volume Jo stops writing her sensation stories because the professor says they're immoral! It makes no sense! I think you're totally right that this is the way Alcott would have wanted the story to be told and I am so thankful to have such a beautiful film in the world! Thanks for this video, it was superb!
I"m so glad you enjoyed it! And agree that film is just perfection in every way.
Thank you for this video, it was super interesting and a very informative exploration, I loved it.
It’s always frustrating when people (real life or the book), say that Jo broke Laurie’s heart. Laurie spoiled their friendship, by not knowing the difference between being friends and lovers, just because Jo is of a different gender to him. You’ve just added another layer to that.
Agreed, Jo was always very clear!
i find this so interesting! considering gender and sexuality for historical figures, i mean. we cannot know, but i also feel like speculating is completely harmless. because these individuals that are long gone, and all we have is what they left behind, why shouldnt a trans guy get to see louis as a trans man AND a lesbian get to see louis as a lesbian? its not a case thats ever gonna be closed, in the grand scheme of things it doesnt matter, but to a few people it can mean a lot to find echoes of themselves in history. but maybe thats why its such a sensitive topic: when one interpretation means so much to you, it might feel a bit personal if other people dont see it the same way. idk! just speculating!
i think you did a wonderful job of approaching this topic, and everything else in this video was super interesting as well! i love hearing about the publishers demands and the boring material stuff that limits and impacts an authors work, its such crucial context imo.
Thank you! Yes this is exactly how I feel. Personally I find a lot to identify with Jo / Louis as a queer woman, but that doesn't negate that they could just as easily have been a trans man and that interpretation is equally valid! I'm really glad you saw what I was trying to say with this :)
“That’s Louie’s punishment to you for shipping Jo and Laurie”; or its Alcott’s rebellion against publisher’s requirements that Jo be married. That is legitimately annoying . “Oh, I have to marry her off , do I? Ok fine.” In her place I would’ve been annoyed too; I also would’ve married the character off and then immediately windowed her... but I’m kinda glad Alcott didn’t do it my way, because it probably would’ve cost them
The publishing deal.
Heather Pressed Between the Pages Exactly!
If you read Louie's short stories (many published anonymously) there is a common theme of men's inability to see women for who they really are. I think your questions about gender identity are valid, but biased by our modern context. I think Louie was more interested in an expansive femininity.
I agree. I think she wanted women to believe that they could be more than just prim and proper, and that they could do "manly" things while still being women, considering that seems to be a theme in her work
But a person can be a trans man and simultaneously be a fervent feminist like the lines above about “how men/society perceive women”. It doesn’t have to be one or the other and a lot of trans people are hardcore feminists who justify pretending to be cisgender (not trans) and hence
Denying their transness through some feminist reasoning like “I’ll show them that women can be xyz also” -- but consistently feeling uncomfortable and also knowing that it’s REALLY hard to be openly trans and actually pursue those things in this society.
It’s a lot “easier” to find a way to deny it and find a way to live in society as one’s assigned gender.
Of course, there are cis people throughout history who don’t fit the gender mold and are feminist and absolutely not trans, but they wouldn’t long to be born another way …
I’m just saying that these things do not have to be mutually exclusive … and of myself and other trans people I know, they often aren’t.
@@laurel3084 agree, having interest in male coded stuff is not the same as perciving yourself to be male or wanting to be male, especialy not if what is allowed to females is as extreamly limited as at that time.
I, even in our time of "equality", have very noticably "male" tendencies as having chosen a male dominated profession (building furnitue from wood), wearing a lot of cloths made with men in mind, have next to no "typicly female" interests . . .
that in no way makes me trans/male
I actually loved Jo and her husband, I thought he was exactly who she needed. She was never ever in love with Laurie, she said that many times. I’m really happy that Louie didn’t listen to the audience and left them alone (even if I’m not a fan of who Laurie ended up with -that was kinda... forced)
Yeah it did feel a bit sudden didn’t it! Also I don’t think I could ever marry someone who used to be in love with my sister!!
I just genuinely love your accent, I could listen you talk for ages.
I’d never read Little Women so Gerwig’s adaptation was my way in and it seemed like a really clever interpretation. Thanks for fleshing that out more! It was interesting to hear some more background and theories and interpretations. It must’ve been hard to imagine even the way women live in our society now during Alcott’s era, eh? Maybe Laddie was her Professor and she flipped the age to be era appropriate? Who knows but that’s one thought I had that you didn’t touch upon. I do like the anti-shipping attitude though, since a lot of friendship narratives are reinvented as romantic, especially now. Obv people can read things any way they want to but I do like seeing examples where the authors protected their intention once in awhile.
That’s so true that women then probably couldn’t even imagine what our lives are like now. What a different world!
Wow. I just saw the 2019 film and have yet to read the book. I also tried to as a kid but didn’t feel it much … and now I’m VERY curious to dive into that.
I didn’t know much about the story and definitely did not expect to see myself reflected in Jo so much. As a trans man, I have to say that a lot of longings that Jo has in the story are textbook trans experiences. Her siblings calling her “brother” inparticular, her shortening her name to a boys name, consistently preferring to dress as a boy and enjoying the company of fellow boys to be silly with.
Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten that Louise attributed their desire to be a boy based on an attraction to women, and here are some ways to think about that. First of all, even though it was taboo to be gay back then, I think it was more well known than being trans. I think the latter seemed impossible (hormone therapy wasn’t even an option back then, was it?) and hence Jo could only long that she was born as a boy and make due w what she had - many trans people feel this way. On the other hand, I don’t suspect that every gay person throughout history wished to be born as the opposite gender, or at least more than a whim. There are gay men and women throughout history who know that their relationships are not accepted by societies standards - many have almost been erased from history - but those individuals have not pretended to be another gender or longed for that in order to gain the privilege of being “straight”. I just don’t see this in historical same sex pairings tbh.
Maybe I’m speaking out of tone again but I think it’s much harder to be trans than to be gay/bi. For a gay person to pursue transness in order to access straight privilege … it’s adding even more stress to their lives. I suppose it isn’t impossible but I think very rare, especially considering that during Louise’ time, transness wasn’t a concept like it is today.
As a trans man myself who is attracted to both men and women, I know that if I was able to live as a boy throughout my young life that I surely would have had a VERY different adolescence and dating history. I can’t speak for all trans people but for myself, I can see how being trans and hence, not being able to live as my full self when I was younger … held me back from dating and expressing myself w potential partners. It wasn’t something I was conscious of at the time, but I understand now that it’s really undesirable to be a “gay women” when in fact you know yourself to be a man. I never wanted to dress butch bc that would be claiming my assigned gender and agreeing that I am a “masculine women”, which I am not - I’m a man. Of course, not all trans people feel this way but it’s something I can relate to A LOT.
I think being trans and knowing that you cannot fully be yourself can complicates things like romance an awful lot.
I am really curious now to read Louise’ diaries. I also added a link of an article that goes into more details about why not just Jo but Laurie as well are transgender.
Thanks for this video and yes, I would say that using “they/them” pronouns for Louise is the right thing to do. Merry Christmas !
the-niche.blog/2020/02/01/jo-and-laurie-are-trans-and-ill-prove-it/amp/
Thank you so much for sharing your insights here!! This is fascinating to read and thank you for giving me a personal perspective 😎
@@DrinkingByMyShelf Got my copy of Little Women from the library!! :) Thanks for this video btw. You covered the topic really well imo.
I became obsessed with Little Women last year and LOVE the new film so much. I'd highly recommend Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters
by Anne Boyd Rioux to get more of the story and how LW has been received/adapted/etc. since its publication.
Oh fantastic I’ll definitely pick that one up
I also feel that Alcott and Jo's character are under the ace spectrum
I think wanting to have the rights that men had, (to freely dress and smoke and get degrees and earn money and remain single and travel and vote and inherit) is a different thing than wanting to be a man.
While this is very true, I think some of the quotes given by Alcott, such as the ones referring to directly wanting to be a man, as well as stating to like women along with this, can imply that they could have been trans. Or not. We will probably never know.
@@dischorddynne her being attracted to women just means she was gay. That’s not the same as being a man.
Oh this is such a very fantastic video! I’m so so happy you made this. I did know quite a bit of LMA’s background but hearing it but this way alongside the book adds an extra layer!
I'm so glad you liked it! If you know any good LMA biographies I should check out I'm always looking for the recommendations
This is a very interesting video, and I completely agree with most of your argument... except the premise. I very much believe that once a book is published and the story has been told by the author, it is for the readers to interpret. That's why we write essays, and why Jo Rowling, for example, randomly establishing new canon on Twitter feels so off.
I don't think it's for anyone to say what fictional characters "should" and "shouldn't" be shipped. If people want to ship Jo and Laurie (or Jo and Bhaer, or Amy and Laurie, or Laurie and John, etc. ad nauseam), let them - it doesn't change or detract from Louis/Louisa's intention or how things ended up in the book. Why police how people choose to enjoy a fictional story? Unless it's actually hurting anyone, surely it's their prerogative.
Oh obviously I agree with that. People can do what they like! I’m being a bit glib when I say “stop shipping them” - just a jokey preface to the video :)
This might have been the final thing that pushed me over the edge into wanting to read this book!!
I just finished reading little women after seeing the movie in December, and I’ve basically been thinking about it nonstop since so I’m so happy you made this video. I’d never read the book before but always had this idea that I hated the story, essentially just because of how depressing I knew the ending of jo’s story was. But seeing the movie gave me that different perspective I needed to enjoy the story. Really appreciate learning all this new info about the author, as I haven’t gotten much farther than their Wikipedia page.
So many different things to talk story-wise but since you ended on Laurie and Amy’s relationship, I ended up being really happy with how that ended up in the book too. I felt they had an equal partnership and loved how honest they could be with each other. When amy says that she‘d “be respected if she couldn’t be loved” to Laurie at the end of the book I was so shocked, I had figured they must have written that line for the movie. Also while reading I got a sense of just how much Laurie wanted to be a part of the March family, and while at one time that meant wanting to be with jo it was a natural progression for him to end up with Amy, as opposed to the betrayal id always considered it before. So many things to think about! I’m so glad I ended up giving this book a second chance haha
That makes sense! And yes I was also happily surprised Ito find so many lines from the film in the book!
That makes sense! And yes I was also happily surprised Ito find so many lines from the film in the book!
That makes sense! And yes I was also happily surprised Ito find so many lines from the film in the book!
Okay, I need to read about LMA’s real life, are there any specific books that you would recommend? Loved this video and the way you did it, thanks for sharing!
I’ve done my reading just online so far but am also looking for book recommendations to find out more!
I’ve done A LOT of reading about her and have visited Orchard House many times (the “Home of Little Women”) and talked to the tour guides.
For straight up biographies, I would recommend The Woman Behind Little Women by Harriet Reisen and Marmee and Louisa by Eve LaPlante. The latter goes in depth into Louisa’s mother’s life, but it makes connections with Louisa’s life.
If you’re feeling scholarly, try Louisa May Alcott by Madeleine Stern, Selected Letters, and The Journals of Louisa May Alcott. Also Little Women Abroad. I actually DNFed the Stern biography because I found it kind of dry, but I don’t know, you might enjoy it!
Whatever you do, stay away from Louisa May Alcott by Susan Cheever. It alleges that Louisa’s father sexually abused her and while we don’t know for sure he did or not, I don’t think it’s an accusation to throw around, especially when it involves people who have been dead for over a century.
But yeah that’s just my ramblings, go forth and read!
What Victoria Read also if you don’t already have a copy of Little Women, or if you want another one The Annotated Little Women by John Matteson is great and was kind of my introduction to Louisa’s life. It’s an absolutely gorgeous addition that contextualizes Little Women with details from Louisa’s life.
Also Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters by Anne Boyd Rioux is a great book about Little Women, how it came about, how it compared to similar literature of the time, and why people still read it today. It talks about the different adaptations, minus the new Greta Gerwig one! Sorry I’ll stop.
Wow, thanks so much, I will get reading!
Hi, Aunt Joe's scrapbag by Louisa May Alcott is a semi-autobiographical book. There a stories in it but parts are full of her thoughts feelings and experiences. I really enjoyed it as it is so cleverly written.
I'm reading it right now and loved the first book but am STRUGGLING through the second. I really appreciate this new perspective. You touched on a lot of things I had a feeling about but wasn't ready to articulate.
The second is way more of a struggle I agree!
I have literally never wanted to read this book because I HATED that in the old movies they just married her off. It made NO sense but NOW I need to read it with this knowledge. Do more book reviews like this!!!
Yayyy I hope you like the book now!
It's like What Katy Did and What Katy Did Next- very similar structure and vibes.
Ahhh that just really made me want to reread those now!
@@DrinkingByMyShelf Haha, I was just thinking Ballet Shoes too 😄 ❤
Lorna Tw YES
I’m from the US and putting them together is definitely an American thing. I stumbled on a box set from the UK and there are 4 not 3 like there is here.
Wow. I haven't read Little Women but this is a great video and interpretation.
That means so much I was so nervous about posting it!
great video! this makes a lot of sense to me now because i read little women once when i was like 10 and don't remember anything about jo getting married to some professor. personally, as much as i think authorial intent is important, i think it's subordinate to reader's interpretation. i get that jo and laurie and any other shipper can be annoying, and i know louisa did not want us to ship them, but i also don't think it matters because i think it falls to the reader to choose what they see in and take away from books. my first ever ship was ron and hermione, and jk rowling coming out saying she regrets making them a couple means nothing to me. she has her opinion and i have mine! anyway, i don't ship jo and laurie but i remember wanting them together when i was 10. i need to watch the movie and read the book again! louisa's story seems so interesting and i wish we could see how a modern age louisa would present themselves.
Yes I totally agree with the readers right to interpret however they want, but this story totally changed the way I felt about these characters and the book as a whole!
@@DrinkingByMyShelf that's true, and i can totally see why. i think going back to read it as an adult and knowing more about louisa and their thought process will make the book better for me too
I loved Little Women as a child, and did see Jo as a role model. Actually, even here in the US where it was one book, I barely remembered anything from the second half. I probably read it about 50 years ago and unlike many books from my childhood, it's just as I remember it, so not a lot of things I tuned out because they didn't mean anything to me at that age. I started the re-read after having read one paragraph in a review of the new movie, alluding to Jo maybe being trans, and hence maybe so too the author who fashioned the caracter after her own life. And I have to say, my jaw kind of fell open. I agree that we cannot label someone after their death, certainly not with an identity that didn't even exist as a concept for them in life, but surely, if LMA wrote some version of that story today, readers would be constantly asking if Jo was trans. I don't need her to be. I would wish non-conformity on all children, regardless of gender identity,. I thank you, though, for filling in in some of those details about LMA. I struggle a little around calling them Louis, but I hadn't known it was *their* choice. And yes, I think yur pronoun choice is spot on.
I just stumbled over this video. and I guess I should first look at some more and see what your general interests are, but I wonder if you read/re-read Harriet the Spy? That was another favorite from my childhood. It didn't quite read the way I remembered it, but there's another sad story, or, rather I assume there is, as it is surely a book about non-conforming or gender non-conforming children, and somehow people were allowed to write sequels after the author's death which totally change the personalities of the characters, and make them get in line with gendered expectations.
I actually never read Harriet the Spy but would be very interested to now that you've talked about it like that!
Super interesting. I re-read little women before I saw the film, but then read good wives afterwards. I adored the film. I had little women as one of my books of the year last year. But good wives put me into a reading slump!! I just didn't enjoy it half as much.
I have never researched LMA at all, so everything you said was interesting. I'd thought about Jo possibly identifying as trans whilst I read it, but hadn't ever extrapolated that to the author, as I wasn't aware of what you said.
Really interesting to watch ❤️
Have you ever read the third book? Tbh, I couldn't read it because of the way Jo developed. But! I think it may give more insight on your theory)
Oh INTERESTING tell me more
@@DrinkingByMyShelf as with the whole series it's published as one book or as two:
Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys (1871)
Jo's Boys and How They Turned Out: A Sequel to "Little Men" (1886)
Little Men are about Jo and her husband's orphanage basically. If I remember correctly in Jo's Boys Jo is either dead or is dying. Little Men talks a lot about her relationship with these boys.
Lizaveta She dies?! Noooooo
@@DrinkingByMyShelf she's quite old by this point)
What you said at the start was very interesting I took little Women out of the Library and the edition also had Good Wives published with it (It was a Wordsworth edition) I didnt finish the book partly because I was hoping to read it before Christmas and didnt actually start it til' nearly New Year . I did enjoy the 70-90 pages i read
It seems to be really varied whether they do or don’t!
I love this video! So nuanced! I think we try to define people by our standards because identity is so important to us but it's important to see real historical figured as the unique individuals that they were. Thanks for putting the time in to really paint a picture of their life and words!
Michaela Simon Thank you so much I’m so glad it came across well!
what an interesting topic and conversation! thank you for another brilliant video emma :)
this was fascinating! I didn't grow up with the story and only recently learned about it through the film. I just got the book (which I assume is only the first one) from my library and getting to know a bit of the history behind it made me even more excited to read it.
Have a lovely day!
(^_____^)/
~Lay
Oh yay I hope you enjoy reading it!
I have the speculation that the sisters were gay.
Wow this is such an interesting video!!! I really can’t wait to read the book, I bought it right after watching the film😂😂
I bet sales of that book SOARED after the film!
This is so great, and well done, and you are intoxicating to watch
This was so fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing
This is sooo fascinating!! I never knew that it was actually two books! I wonder how/if that changes the reading of it.
I definitely found it changed my reading of it!
This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing!
This was very necessary and relevant!! Thank u xx
This was such an interesting video - thank you for making it!
Do you have books that you read to learn all about Alcott's life? I'd love to read more about her!
I just read online but there are lots of fab recommendations in this comment section now!
Before I watch this - to avoid spoilers, could anyone please tell me, is this video only about Little Women or does it contain spoilers for Good Wives as well?
It's about both I'm afraid!
Drinking By My Shelf Thanks! Then I'll save this to watch in a couple months by when I will have read that hopefully :)
Here the link to Amazon.com site of my play Jo & Louisa. We are totally on the same wave length. I think you'll LOVE it:
www.amazon.com/JO-LOUISA-Play-Isabella-Russell-Ides/dp/1693566419/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Jo+%26+Louisa+by+isabella+russell-ides&qid=1583175373&s=books&sr=1-1
This was super interesting!! did you know that Patricia Highsmith was also very possibly trans?
I didn’t!! That’s so interesting I’m going to read all about that now!
What is “shipping” ?
Total sidenote - the author's name is pronounced Lou-ee-suh. 😊
Hahaha I know 😂 but I said at the beginning they always asked to be called Louis by their friends and family - just like Josephine March is always called Jo.
@@DrinkingByMyShelf ohhhh 😂 Somehow I missed that bit, sorry. 🤦
I didn't know this - very interesting.
Fascinating conversation! Tfs.
I disagree that Louie could have been a trans man. A man would never write about women like that.
What happened to the speaking frog?
I liked Little Men much better than Little Women.