17 Quotes From Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Originally published in two volumes, with the first in 1968 and the second in 1969, Little Women is a coming of age story that has been enjoyed by generations of young readers.
Louisa May Alcott was an American author who based Little Women on her own experiences of growing up in New England. Its success was followed by a number of sequels: Little Men (1871), Jo’s Boys (1886) and Good Wives (1869) which was originally the second volume of Little Women.
The book’s popularity also led to 8 film adaptations and five TV series, with the latest starring Emma Watson and directed by Greta Gerwig in 2019.
Here are some of the best quotes from the original book, discussing love, life and literature.
Synopsis:
“Little Women is one of the best-loved children's stories of all time, based on the author's own youthful experiences. It describes the family of the four March sisters living in a small New England community.
Meg, the eldest, is pretty and wishes to be a lady; Jo, at fifteen is ungainly and unconventional with an ambition to be an author; Beth is a delicate child of thirteen with a taste for music and Amy is a blonde beauty of twelve.
The story of their domestic adventures, their attempts to increase the family income, their friendship with the neighbouring Laurence family, and their later love affairs remains as fresh and beguiling as ever.”
Quotes About Love
“Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for.”
“Jo had learned that hearts, like flowers, cannot be rudely handled, but must open naturally…”
“You don’t need scores of suitors. You only need one, if he’s the right one.”
“You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone.”
“I’m happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.”
Quotes About Life
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
“I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.”
“I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”
“Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.”
“Because they are mean is no reason why I should be. I hate such things, and though I think I've a right to be hurt, I don't intend to show it.”
“Wouldn't it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true and we could live in them?”
“Don’t try to make me grow up before my time.”
Quotes About Literature
"I'm a woman, I love to read, I have big ideas, and I don't care what you think about it"
"She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain."
“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”
“Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and fall into a vortex, as she expressed it, writing away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace.”
“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”
You can buy a copy of Little Women on Amazon here.
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