Is Little Women Based on a True Story? Know its Plot, Ending, and Review
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 25, 2023
Little Women
Step into the enchanting world of 19th century Concord, Massachusetts with "Little Women," the heartwarming and critically acclaimed coming-of-age period drama film. Directed and written by the talented Greta Gerwig, the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, and Chris Cooper.
The story follows the captivating lives of the March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a changing world. Sony Pictures initiated the film's development back in 2013, with Amy Pascal coming on board to produce in 2015 and Gerwig hired to write the screenplay in 2016. Drawing inspiration from Alcott's other writings, Gerwig penned a compelling script in 2018 and was later appointed director that same year. Filming took place from October to December 2018 in the stunning state of Massachusetts, with post-production starting immediately after.
"Little Women" premiered at the prestigious Museum of Modern Art in New York City on December 7, 2019, and was released in theaters across the United States on December 25, 2019, by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film received critical acclaim, with Gerwig's exceptional screenplay and direction and the cast's outstanding performances being particularly lauded. The film also grossed a whopping $218 million worldwide, solidifying its status as a beloved hit. It received an impressive six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Ronan), Best Supporting Actress (Pugh), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score, and took home the award for Best Costume Design. "Little Women" also earned five British Academy Film Award nominations, with a win for Best Costume Design, and two Golden Globe Award nominations.
Is Little Women Based on a True Story?
Yes, "Little Women" is based on a semi-autobiographical novel written by American author Louisa May Alcott, which was published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. The novel is largely based on Alcott's own experiences growing up with her three sisters in Concord, Massachusetts, during the mid-19th century. While the novel is not entirely autobiographical, it draws heavily from Alcott's own life and the experiences of her family. Many of the characters and events in the novel were inspired by Alcott's real-life family members and friends.
To know about the birth of the novel, we have to do time travel and need to land at the time of the Civil War. When Louisa May Alcott was asked by her publisher, Thomas Niles, to write a girls' story. Alcott was hesitant, but decided to draw from her own experiences and wrote about a close-knit family of four sisters living in Concord, Massachusetts during the Civil War.
Initially, Alcott's publisher herself wasn't too excited about the first draft. However, Alcott persisted in writing, believing that girls needed "lively, simple books." It was the enthusiasm of Niles' niece that convinced the publisher to green-light the project. When the final manuscript was completed on August 26, 1868, Alcott was pleased, writing that it was "simple and true" as much of it was based on their real-life experiences. The first volume of "Little Women" was published on September 30, 1868, and the first edition quickly sold out within a few months.
Alcott believed that the book's success was due to the grain of truth on which it was based. As she began to write volume two the following year, she theorized that the book's authenticity was what made it so appealing to readers. This novel has been adapted into a film after one and a half-century in 2019 so the world sees the semi-family story of Alcott on the silver screen that's really amazing!
Little Women Plot
In 1868, Jo March, a dedicated teacher in New York City, seeks the help of Mr. Dashwood, an editor who agrees to publish a story she has written. Meanwhile, her youngest sister, Amy, is in Paris with their wealthy Aunt March, attending a party with their childhood friend and neighbor, Laurie. However, Amy becomes angry at Laurie's drunken behavior and is further upset when he mocks her for spending time with wealthy businessman Fred Vaughn.
Back in New York, Jo is hurt when Friedrich Bhaer, a professor interested in her, gives her critical feedback on her writing, leading to an argument between the two. However, when Jo learns that her younger sister Beth's illness has worsened, she immediately returns home to Concord, Massachusetts.
In 1861, seven years earlier, Jo meets Laurie at a party she attends with her elder sister, Meg. On Christmas morning, the girls' mother, "Marmee," persuades them to give their breakfast to their poor neighbor Mrs. Hummel and her starving children. After returning home, they find a table full of food given to them by their neighbor and Laurie's grandfather, Mr. Laurence. Marmee then reads a letter from their father, who is fighting in the American Civil War. Jo regularly reads to Aunt March, hoping for an invitation to Europe.
One day, when Meg, Jo, Laurie, and John – Laurie's tutor and Meg's future husband – go to the theater, a jealous Amy burns Jo's writings. The next morning, Amy chases after Jo and Laurie onto a lake while they are skating, hoping to make amends. However, she falls through the ice, and Jo and Laurie save her from drowning. Mr. Laurence notices Beth's quietness and invites her to play his late daughter's piano in his house.
In the present, Meg expresses her unhappiness about being poor to John after buying an expensive fabric they can't afford. Meanwhile, Laurie visits Amy to apologize for his behavior, urging her not to marry Fred but to marry him instead. Despite being in love with Laurie, Amy refuses, feeling upset at always being second to Jo. However, she also turns down Fred's proposal.
Later on, Jo receives a letter from Laurie, who proposes to her. However, Jo rejects his proposal, explaining that she does not see herself getting married. As a result, Laurie ends up marrying Amy, who is returning from Europe with their ill Aunt March. Jo starts writing a novel based on her and her sisters' lives, and after many setbacks, she sends the first chapters to Mr. Dashwood.
In New York, Mr. Dashwood agrees to publish Jo's novel, but he insists that the protagonist must get married at the end. Jo struggles with this idea, but eventually, she ends her novel with the protagonist, herself, stopping Bhaer from leaving for California. She successfully negotiates the copyright and royalties with Mr. Dashwood.
After Aunt March passes away, Jo inherits her house and opens it as a school, where Meg, Amy, and Bhaer all teach. Jo observes the printing of her novel, titled "Little Women."
Little Women Ending Explained
The ending of Little Women is bittersweet but ultimately hopeful. The story concludes with the March sisters all grown up, pursuing their individual dreams, and coming together as a family to support each other.
Jo, the protagonist, has achieved her dream of becoming a published author, but she had to compromise her original ending to appease her publisher. Instead of ending her novel with the protagonist remaining unmarried, she has her character marry Professor Bhaer. Jo is content with her choice and happy with her life as a successful writer and school owner.
Meg is happily married to John and is a mother to two children. She has found happiness in her domestic life and in being a supportive sister to Jo, despite her own longing for luxury and material comforts.
Beth has passed away, but her legacy lives on through the school that Jo has founded in Aunt March's home. Amy has married Laurie and has found success as an artist in Europe.
The ending of Little Women highlights the importance of family, sisterhood, and pursuing one's dreams. It also shows that sometimes, compromises must be made to achieve those dreams. While there is sorrow in the loss of Beth, there is also hope and joy in the sisters' achievements and continued bond with each other.
Little Women Review
The film was released to critical acclaim and currently holds a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 423 reviews. The film has been praised for its direction, screenplay, performances, and production design. Many critics have lauded Greta Gerwig's direction for her innovative approach to the material, which includes a non-linear narrative structure and a fresh take on the characters. Saoirse Ronan's portrayal of Jo March has also been praised, with many critics noting her nuanced and complex performance.
The film has been praised for its themes of sisterhood, love, and independence, which are explored in a modern and relevant way. The film's production design has also been praised for its attention to detail and authenticity, which effectively transports the audience back to the 19th century.
Despite the critical acclaim, some critics have criticized the film for its non-linear narrative structure, which they found confusing at times. Others have also noted that the film doesn't fully explore the characters of Meg and Amy, who are overshadowed by the more complex character of Jo.
Little Women is a well-crafted and engaging film that effectively captures the spirit of Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel. It is a must-see for fans of the book and a great introduction for those who are not familiar with the story. The film's strong performances, innovative direction, and themes of sisterhood and independence make it a standout film of 2019.
Is Little Women Based on a True Story - FAQs
Little Women is a coming-of-age novel by Louisa May Alcott, published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. The novel follows the lives of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, detailing their passage from childhood to womanhood, and is loosely based on the author's own experiences growing up with her three sisters.
Little Women has been adapted for film, television, and stage many times, with the first film adaptation being made in 1917. The most recent adaptation was released in 2019 and was directed by Greta Gerwig, starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Timothée Chalamet.
Little Women is considered a classic of American literature and is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and enduring novels of the 19th century. It has been praised for its depiction of female autonomy, the bonds of sisterhood, and the struggles of poverty and societal expectations faced by women in the mid-19th century.
Little Women was written by Louisa May Alcott, an American author who lived from 1832 to 1888. Alcott was also an abolitionist and feminist, and she wrote many other novels, including sequels to Little Women.
Little Women is generally considered a children's book, but it does deal with mature themes such as death, illness, poverty, and societal expectations. Parents should use their discretion when deciding whether the book is appropriate for their children, but it is generally recommended for readers aged 10 and older. The 2019 film adaptation, which is rated PG, is appropriate for all ages.