Unregistered
05-24-2005, 06:07 PM
Why did Joe marry Prof Bhaer and not Laurie? To answer that question I think that one needs to look into the life of Miss Alcott herself. I believe she wrote this novel by delving into the truth about her own life. In "Litttle Women", one of the great turning points is reached as Joe realizes that she needs to "write what she knows". She turns from flirting with unrealistic sensationalist stories to real writing and writes a story about four sisters that gets published with rave reviews. I think Miss Alcott is giving us a glimpse into her own heart and life.<br>After reading her biography it is clear to me that Prof Bhaer is modeled after Mr. Emerson, the Alcotts neighbor in Concord. He was a wise, kind, mentor type person to Louisa and I believe that she was in love with him. But Mr. Emerson was a married man and so off limits. Louisa never married. It is for these reasons that I think the relationship between Joe and Prof Bhaer is somewhat cool and distant in the novel. It is this coolness and distance which I believe causes most readers to be "turned off" to their relationship.<br>As to Laurie, I believe he is modeled after Henry Thoreau, the wild crazy and introspective phliosopher of "Walden". Thoreau was a great friend of the Alcotts and while Lousia liked him, I don't believe she loved him. And so she tells it like it is in Little Women.<br>If you really were dissappointed that Joe didn't marry Laurie then you must read "Little Men". It causes one to love Prof Bhaer much more.<br>Does anyone know of a literature study for Little Women for middle school students? Please email me if you do.