They're Little, Not Midgets. Otherwise I Wouldn't Like Them.

NPR has recently started a feature where they dissect famous characters in pop culture and yesterday they discussed Jo March from Little Women.

I loved Little Women as a kid. I loved it so much that I still consider it one of my favorite books, so it was fun to hear about old generations and new generations that love it as much as I do. I agree with the story that everyone wants to be Jo. She’s the independent, free-thinker who doesn’t let anyone make her decisions for her (although I hated it when she rejected Laurie, I thought it was sadder than when Beth dies). I think it is funny that young readers, while still admiring Jo, find her a little too perfect to try to be like. I’m not sure if that means young women have a good, realistic head on their shoulders or they’re too lazy to try to live their lives without strings attached.

I always thought I was a little about of each of the “little women.” In some ways I was the goody two-shoes, like Meg. In some ways I was the sensitive, wise Beth. In some ways, I was the vain, silly Amy. And in some ways I was independent like Jo. I still am. I think most girls and women are.

Actually, just the other day the episode of Friends, where Joey and Rachel switch books, was on. She reads The Shining and he reads Little Women. He thinks that Jo is a man and Laurie is a woman, but he also is sad when he finds out Beth dies.

I should go back and reread it.