Jo and Teddy

Although it is very disapointing to the reader, I believe that Alcott decided to not let Jo and Teddy get together for effect. That effect is , essentially, realism. In real life those "perfect couples" and "undying young romances" simply don't pan out, and as I see it Ms. Alcott was trying to be true to life, true to realism. So, while I am personally disappointed that the lot did not marry, I must say it was quite realistic for in life love never works out the way one thinks it will.