Who’s who in Little Women, the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, with a guide to every character in our retelling for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.
Little Women follows the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, as they grow up in a loving but not wealthy New England home during the American Civil War. Marmee guides them with warmth and good sense while Father serves as an army chaplain. Next door live Mr. Laurence and his grandson Laurie, who become part of the family. This guide introduces each character, with what they want, how they change and how their stories end, so parents can talk about the book with children.
The original novel is gentler than many people remember, but it is honest about hard things. Beth falls ill and dies, and the story treats her loss with great tenderness. The other sisters find love and purpose: Meg marries John Brooke, Jo marries Professor Bhaer and Amy marries Laurie. Each character page has a short story summary, a favorite line from the book, family connections and answers to questions parents often ask.
The bold second sister, who dreams of becoming a famous writer.
Jo is the second March sister, fifteen, tall and full of energy, with ink on her fingers and big dreams of becoming a writer. She loves books, whistling and running through the woods, and she has a quick temper she works hard to control. Jo is fiercely loyal to her family and will do almost anything to help them.
Full character guide
The gentle eldest sister, who loves pretty things and family warmth.
Meg is the eldest March sister, sixteen, gentle and graceful. She loves pretty dresses and fine things, but she loves her family even more. Meg tries hard to be proper and often looks after her younger sisters like a second mother. When she falls in love, she learns to trust her own heart.
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The shy third sister, whose music and kindness touch everyone.
Beth is the third March sister, thirteen, quiet and shy with a sweet voice. She loves music more than anything and plays the old family piano. Beth wishes only for her family to be safe and happy, and she is always thinking of others. Her kindness touches everyone, even the gruff old gentleman next door.
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The youngest sister, a budding artist with big plans.
Amy is the youngest March sister, with golden hair, a proud spirit and a love of drawing and grand words. She wants very much to be a fine lady and sometimes gets into trouble because of it. As she grows up, Amy works hard at her art, learns to be kinder, and becomes a graceful, sensible young woman.
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The girls’ wise and loving mother.
Marmee is the mother of the four March girls, a wise and loving woman who keeps the family together while Father is away at war. Even when money is short, she finds ways to help neighbors in need and teaches her daughters to do the same. She is gentle but firm, and her girls always run to her for comfort.
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The playful, generous boy next door.
Laurie is the wealthy boy next door who lives with his grandfather in a big, quiet house. He is playful, charming and sometimes lonely, until he meets the March sisters and becomes like a brother to them. He has a good heart and is quick to help, though he has to learn to put his gifts to good use.
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Laurie’s grandfather, stern on the outside and kind underneath.
Mr. Laurence is Laurie’s grandfather, a rich old gentleman with thick white hair and bushy eyebrows. He looks stern and speaks gruffly, but he has a soft heart, especially when it comes to music. He becomes a generous friend to the March family and helps them in many quiet ways.
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Laurie’s steady, honorable tutor.
John Brooke is Laurie’s tutor, a quiet young man with kind brown eyes and round spectacles. He is steady, polite and hardworking, and he is always ready to help. When Marmee must travel to the army hospital, he goes along to look after her, and over time he falls in love with Meg.
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The sisters’ sharp-tongued, wealthy great-aunt.
Aunt March is the girls’ wealthy great-aunt, a sharp-tongued old lady with a cane, a snappy little dog and a squawking parrot. She is strict and quick to scold, and she has strong opinions about how young ladies should behave. Underneath her crossness, though, she cares about her nieces more than she lets on.
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The girls’ gentle, brave father.
Mr. March is the girls’ father, a gentle and loving man who serves as an army chaplain far from home. His family misses him terribly, and when he falls sick, Marmee hurries to his side. When he finally comes home, he is thin and tired, but full of love for his wife and daughters.
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A warm-hearted German scholar who encourages Jo’s writing.
Professor Bhaer is a kind scholar from Germany whom Jo meets at a busy boarding house in New York. He has messy hair, a rumpled coat, twinkling eyes and a booming laugh. He becomes Jo’s good friend, and his honest advice helps her find her true voice as a writer.
Full character guide