Little Women

Louisa May Alcott (Louisa M. Alcott), an American writer and poet was born on 22 November 1832, to transcendentalist preacher and teacher Bronson Alcott and social worker Abby May Alcott. Both her parents were part of the reform movements of the 1800s. Her father's idealism could not put food on the table, so her long-suffering mother held the reigns of the family together. They were poor for the longest period of time which made Louisa vow at the tender age of 15 to do whatever it takes-- sew, write, teach-- to help take care of her parents and three sisters. She was home schooled where reading became a passion and writing, a creative weapon of expression. Many writers and intellectuals of the day like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne were family friends and had a great impact on her thinking and education. Little Women, an autobiographical novel written in 1868, was a tremendous success that got her the fame and financial security which she had wanted for her family. The vivacity of the March sisters and their close relationship with their mother was a window into her own life and family dynamics. Her work received laurels and critical acclaim from all quarters. It is her most loved and known work till date. The success of Little Women resulted in further narratives that were a page from her life like Little Men, Eight Cousins, Jo's Boys. A staunch advocate for women rights, she passed away in Boston on 6 March 1888, just two days after her father's death.