BOOK REVIEW ON LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S “LITTLE WOMEN”

THE ORIGINAL AND THE TRANSLATED VERSION BY GEMA

English Departement, Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University, Semarang

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ABSTRAK

Little Women adalah novel klasik karya Louisa May Alcot. Novel ini berkisah tentang
kehidupan empat perempuan bersaudara, mereka adalah Meg, Jo, Beth dan Amy
March. Mereka hidup dalam kemiskinan oleh Mrs. March atau biasa dipanggil Marmee.
Sedangkan ayah mereka Mr. March sedang bekerja pada di medan perang pada saat itu.
Dengan cinta Marmee membesarkan ke empat anaknya. Banyak kegiatan keseharian
mereka yang membuat keluarga yang miskin itu menjadi keluarga yang manis. Banyak
pesan yang dapat kita ambil dari novel ini melalui setiap karakter. Berbagai
pertengkaran, perkelahian, cemburu, cinta dan kasih sayang yang timbul dalam novel ini
membuat kita seakan-akan larut dalam cerita. Buku ini bagus dan menarik, terlihat pada
pembuatan buku ini yang tidak hanya dibuat sebuah novel tetapi juga dibuat dalam
beberapa versi yakni sebuah film, serial TV, panggung opera, hingga drama musical.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Literature are image born form the reflection, they usually matched
creative mind of the writers that is between reality and fiction of a novel.
transformed into written art. Writers Novels are form of literature that is very
are often inspired trhough many aspect popular among literature enthusiasts.
of life and its problematics that are The story within a novel is usually taken
illustrated through literature. According from reflection of human life, so it is
to Wellek and Warren in Teori hoped that readers will understand the
Kesusastraan, “sastra menyajikan moral behind the story. This novel Little
kehidupan dan kehidupan sebagian Women may be a novel that tells us a
besar terdiri dari kenyataan sosial, story about daily life. It is written by
walaupun karya sastra juga meniru Louisa May Alcott, the best novelist of
alam dan dunia subjektif manusia” classic novels.
(1989 :109). Literature are images or
impression of daily life in society. These 1.2 Purposes of the Writing
images even though are not exact
 The main purpose of this Louisa started writing a diary and when
writing is to review the Little Women by she entered teenagers, Louisa began
Louisa May Alcott because it is one of writing short stories, fairy tales and
bestseller classic novels. The writer’s novels. She wanted to fulfill the
purposes of the writing are: economics needs of families. As the
second daughter, Louisa felt partly
1. To give the summary of responsible for the financial needs of
“Little Women” and the her family. Various kinds of work are
biography of Louisa May done by reading the books for elderly
Alcott. people, teaching kids at home even
becoming a waiter a for the wealthy
2. To review about “Little
people. However, the writing seemed to
Women” especially its five
be her substantial source of income, so
intrinsic aspects of novel
she decided to write to the end.
there are character, theme,
Published in 1868, Little Women was
setting, plot; and writing
set in the Alcott family home, Orchard
style which includes the
House in Concord, Massachusetts and
strengths and the
was loosely based on Alcott’s childhood
weaknesses of the book.
experiences with her three sisters. The
3. To review about the novel was very well received and
comparison of strength and became popular children’s novel today.
the weakness original book Alcott was an abolitionist and a
and translated edition of feminist. She never married, and she
“Little Women”. died in Boston.

1.3 About the Author 2. Summary of the Book

Louisa May Alcott is one of This novel tells about the daily
American’s female writer in the late activity that is occurred in March
19th century. She was born in family’s house. A family consists of Mrs.
Germantown, Pennsylvania on 29 March and her four daughters Meg, Jo,
November 1832 from the couple Beth and Amy. Her father, Mr. March
Bronson Alcott and Abigail ‘Abba’ May. fights in the civil war that is occurred
The father is an educator who believes around the year 1860. Meg as the
that children are Tabular razes or like a eldest and the most beautiful woman
blank piece of paper ready to write. among them all and she wants to
Unfortunately, what he believed caused become a housewife. Jo is a tomboy
misery to Bronson who considered him character and she has a dream to
as a perfect figure or often assumed become a famous writer. Beth is a soft
him as an angel. Anyone who opposed girl and she loves to play music. She
her would be considered as a crime and hopes she could be a great musician.
Louisa was one who dared to oppose Meanwhile, Amy is a spoiled girl who
her father. wants to be a great painter. They are
very lucky because they have a mother
Under such, pressure, Louisa like a Mrs. March. She has a soft heart
experienced a lot of emotional conflict nature and she is wise. Although she
with herself. Writing is one way to must take care her four the children
express her feeling since the age 7 years alone, she never complained.
 Alcott story begin with the four the hospital in Washington, D.C.
March girls sitting in their living room, Marmee goes to treat him and Jo sells
lamenting their poverty. The girls decide her hair to help financing the trip. While
that each of them will bering a gift for Mrs. March on Washington, the baby of
their mother, Marmee, instead of Hummel family is very ill which results
having a gift for themselves on in Baby’s death of scarlet fever. Beth
Christmas. Marmee comes home with a returns and is confined to bed, Amy is
letter from Mr. March. The letter sent to Aunt March’s house because of
inspires the girl to struggle againts their the fear of her contracting the fever.
burdens more cheerfully and not to Beth are dying on the brink of death
complain about their poverty. On until Marmee returns. Finally, the fever
Chistmas the girls then give Marmee breaks. Later, the story tells about Mr.
her gifts and perform a play, operatic Brooke who will get a job. Then he asks
tragedy. One day, Meg and Jo attend a Meg to marry him. Jo is very upset at
New Year’s Party at home of Meg’s the prospect of loosing her sister, but
wealthy friend, Sally Gardiner. At the Marmee tries to comfort her. On
party, Jo meets Laurie, the grandson of Christmas Day, Mr. March returns
old Mr. Laurence. Mr. Laurence is the home. The girls are happy to see him
best friends of Mr. March. and finally the March family is
complete.
The girls have various adventures.
Meg and find work outside the home to 3. REVIEW OF THE BOOK
help support the family. Meg spends
her days teaching small children as a 3.1 Elements Aspect
governess. Jo spends time reading and
caring for her Aunt March and wishes Intrinsict elements are the major
that she could read all the books in her aspects for brief description of a novel
Aunt’s library. At some point, Laurie or literary work. Based on Burhan
invites Jo and Meg to watch the Seven Nurgiyantoro, “unsur intrinsik sebuah
Castle of the Diamond Lake. Jo refused novel adalah unsur-unsur yang (secara
to let Amy go with her to theater. Upon langsung) turut serta membangun
arriving home Jo learns that Amy burns cerita” (2012:23). In this situation the
Jo’s manuscript which her feel so hurt writer will try to review the novel of
and crushed that she cannot ever Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
forgive Amy. In her anger, she nearly using five intrinsic aspects; they are
lets Amy drown while ice skating. character, theme, setting, plot and
Because of Marmee, finally Jo can writing style of the novel. Therefore,
forgive her liltle sister. Then story this review includes the strengths and
resolves around Pretty Meg who the weaknesses of the novel of “Little
attends Annie Moffat’s party. However, Women”.
Meg is ashamed that her family is poor 3.1.1 Character
and that she cannot afford a new dress According to Burhan Nurgiyantoro,
like the others girls. While at the party, “tokoh cerita hendaknya bersifat alami,
she hears that people think she intends memiliki sifat lifelikeness
to marry Laurie just for his money. ‘kesepertihidupan’ paling tidak itulah
One day, the family received a harapan pembaca (2012:168). In this
telegram saying that Mr. March is sick in novel, Alcott tells about the life of four
daughters of March lifelikeness. Meg, be a good person, and how to achieve
the oldest of the March sisters, is happiness in life. It also teaches about
responsible and kind. She is pretty, female independence againts poverty’s
simple, loving and she is interested in life. This novel also contains story that
the luxurious things in life. Jo, the has sacrificial and humanity values,
second oldest of the March sisters and either between March family or the
the protagonist of the novel. She hates other people. For example in chapter 15
romance in her real life because she is a “Sehelai Telegram” when Jo willingly cut
tomboy woman. Beth, the third March her hair, in order to be sold to a salon,
sister, is very shy and timid. She loves she do it in order to get more money for
music, her doll collection, and her many her mother’s trip to Washington to visit
cats too. Amy, the youngest March their father because he is dying.
sisters is, a little artist and a very Character of March reflects women
important person (according to her naturally, “Possessed virtues of faith,
own). Mother or Marmee- the mother simplicity, goodness, self-sacrifice,
of the March girls. She tries very hard to tenderness, affection, sentimentality
raise her girls to be little women and modesty” (2004, 10). She educates
(intelligent, kind and modest). Marmee their children with patience and
is the moral role model for her girls. She sincerity. Also when Jo is angry with
counsels them through all of their Amy at chapter 8 “Jo Bertemu dengan
problems and works hard but happily, Apollyon”. No one spoke of the great
while her husband in the war. Mr. trouble, not even Mrs. March, for all
March, the father of the March family, she learns by experience it is when Jo is
he is in the war at the beginning of the in that mood words were wasted. Later,
story. He is a very inteligent and it is revealed that the wisest course is to
philosophical man. All of character are wait till some little accident, or her own
so lively and interesting, like theatrical generous nature, softened Jo’s
play in the house, picnic, making their resentment and heals the breach.
own newspaper, and the other events However, Mrs. March whispered gently,
that made them into a grown up “sayangku, jangan biarkan matahari
women. Exploration of the character membakar kemarahanmu, kalian harus
and the several events that happened saling memaafkan, saling membantu
upon the four daughters of March is dan esok memulai langkah baru” (2011:
described proportionally. Every chapter 121). Because it actually is not easy to
alternately tells one of them as the take care of them in an early age
center of the story. Although the without the help of a husband but she is
character of Jo who is the reflection of able to prove it through this novel.
Alcott’s personality seems dominate the
story. 3.1.3 Setting
Little Women is set in the 1860s in a
3.1.2 Theme New England town modeled on
Based on Burhan Nurgiyantoro, Concord, Massachusetts. Most of the
“tema sebuah karya sastra selalu action in Part I revolves around the
berkaitan dengan makna (pengalaman) March’s family’s home. With Mr. March
kehidupan” (2012:71). Little Women is a away, who serves as a clergyman for
morality tale. Each chapter not only soldiers fighting in the Civil War, the
contains the lives and adventures of the four daughters and their mother remain
four sisters, but also lessons on how to at home, struggling to live as
comfortable as possible under the Alcott is the daughter of a well
circumstances. philosopher, and her command of
language is impressive. She writes
3.1.4 Plot complex, balanced sentences and uses a
According to Burhan Nurgiyanto, simple vocabulary to make it easier to
“mengemukakan bahwa plot adalah understand.
sebuah karya fiksi yang merupakan
struktur peristiwa-peristiwa, yaitu 3.2 The Strength of “Little Women”
sebagaimana yang terlihat dalam
pengurutan dan penyajian berbagai From the character aspects,
peristiwa tersebut mencapai efek Louisa May Alcott describes each
emosional dan efek artistik tertentu” characters proportionally to make the
(2012:113). The overall plot of the novel reader understand who the protagonist
is simple. Four girls begin the story as and the antagonist are. From the
teens and each of them matures writing style, the story is very
through a variety of experiences to interesting and it uses simplicity
enter adulthood. As they grow, they language, so it makes the reader easily
learn values on things of worth and they to understand the story. From the
establish their individual priorities. First, theme, Little Women is a novel which
in the Initial Situation, Jo March and her teaches the reader to share with other
sisters work hard to keep their family people, it also gives an example that in
together altought they are in poverty. humble women’s life, the beauty of life
The second one is Conflict when Mrs. is still possible to achieve. The novel has
March get a letter which says Mr. educational values, positive message
March is seriously ill. A letter not also and positive role models, so this book is
make Mrs. March sad but also her four good for a children too. There is no such
doughters too. Third is the Complication thing that is more valuable than having
when Mrs. March don’t have money to a family who could complete each
go Washington D.C. The next is climax other. In addition, it is as the social
when Jo goes to cut her hair and sells paradigm concerning happiness which is
them so that she can give her $25.00 to only achievable by money. In Alcott’s
the family for financing the Marmee’s novel, the family is considered to be the
trip. The Suspense is when Beth is sick most important aspect has gives its
because she is contaminated from the members strength to overcome life’s
Hummel baby who was died of scarlet obstacles and teaches about the value
fever. Next is denouement when the of selflessness.
doctor says that Beth will die like the
From the plot. Louisa May
baby, however the fever finally breaks.
Alcott uses good plot to write her novel.
Then the Conclusion when Christmas
It does not confuse the reader with the
Day arrives and Mr. March returns
main story. She writes the dialogue in
home. Story ends with the happiness.
order to make the reader easily
3.1.5 Writing Style understand the story. She explains the
setting more clearly, which makes the
This novel may be good for a story real. It should be note that the
children because the novel have a appearance of the novel it self becomes
family life genre and the writing style one of its strength. The package of the
can be didactic. However, Louisa May novel, both the original version and
Indonesian version, is similar in their translation is synchonized to the
small size. Overall, the story of the original text, grammaticaly and
novel makes it different from the transformed to daily language style.
others. Louisa May Alcott twists the plot Also there is connection with cultural,
in a new way. The reader cannot be nationalism and social habits issue
predicted the ending of the novel. contained in the story. It makes them
Moreover, “Little Women” by Louisa easier to understand each plot of the
May Alcott is one of bestseller classic story. Little Women is a classic novel
novels. that is widely known by common
people. The use of original tittle
3.3 The Weakness of “Little Women” becomes another strength of this book.
The tittle “Little Woman” is already
Over all, the novel is good, with
accepted by the world wide. The
an interesting story. However, the
translated edition uses this tittle in
writer thinks that the novel has a
order to maintain its popularity.
weakness from the statement of Jo
March, “aku tak bisa menekan rasa Cover design is one of the
kecewaku karena tidak dilahirkan important elements in book marketing.
sebagai laki-laki” (2011:5). Supposedly In publishing company, the work for the
a lady should not say something like cover design is seriously handled by a
that. It is like Jo does not accept herself certain departement which is the same
as a woman. Also at Chapter Eight, it is level as editing as well as marketing
shown when Jo hit Amy’s ear because departements. According to writes’s
Amy burns Jo’s manuscript. Her action opinion, the cover of the translated
is not ladylike. Hitting is not a behaviour edition is not exciting enough. Because
of a lady. Women should behave and there is only a sketch of four ladies,
speak softly to everyone. while the original edition has detail
image of the four ladies. The other
The characteristics of Jo is
weakness point of this novel lies in its
assumed to be the main weakness of
story telling. The original version of the
this book. At the beginning of the story;
books contains the author’s expressions
it is described that Jo hates men so
more than the translated one. It is
much. The author of the book depitcs
because the original language is
her hatred in obvious ways. This may
translated to another which annihilates
become its weakness because the value
its purity.
will be accepted by the reader,
especially children, who read this boo After reading the novel, the
writer enjoyed the original edition by
3.4 The Strength and The
Louisa May Alcott. A novel has special
Weakness of the original book
tones and expression from original
Little Women and Little
author language style compared with
Women Translation.
the translated edition.
The translated edition has its
3.5 Personal Opinion
own strength compared to the original
edition. The strength can be seen from Louisa May Alcott writes this
its structure. The flow of the story novel using a new theme. It does not
follows the original edition which makes make the reader become bored. This
it have the similar taste. The whole
novel is interesting to be read. It unity. Young girls are only human and
teaches us lessons on how to be a good they have a natural yearning for wordly
person, and how to achieve happiness possessions. It is up to them how they
in life. Some good things about the cope it, which brings us back to the
book are the ways the girls care about March girls. Their desire to help others
each other. It is amazing how great they even when they do not have much
got along. The story gives a moral value themselves is indeed remarkable.
to the reader. It describes a way how
problems are solved in parental This book shows how in all
relationship. The theme of the story times, love and hope are the most
itself relates with the social issues in faithful companions when all other
real life. aspects. Honestly and true intentions
are really the most valuable possessions
The writer also liked the fact of one can have. This novel shows us
the story that sounded real. It did not beauty of simplicity and the importance
seem to be a fictional book. The writer of the small human deeds that count in
enjoys the way the author describes the real life even though they can not be
characters. They are described so well visibly seen. Some might not like this
that you could picture what they look story but unique thing about it is that it
like. If you want to read an exciting and is based on a completey true story of
loving book this is definitely the one. Louisa May Alcott’s own life. The
The writer highly recommends it. unlikely twist in this story makes it
depict more humanity, since we are
4. CONCLUSION humans and we can not evade such
scenes in our life,
Based on the review of
“Little Women” novel, the writer makes The March family has a difficult
the summary about the novel. The time while their Dad is at in the war.
novel contains five intrinsic aspects; However, even when times are bad
they are character, theme, setting, plot, Meg (oldest), Jo (second oldest), Beth
and writing style. The novel is an (second youngest) and Amy (youngest)
unusual example of young adult still have heaps of fun and make new
literature of the time because Alcott friends. In the end they fall in love and
gives her character with both faults and realize that not every thing has to be
virtues, avoids teaching to reader, glamorous as long as they have a loving
writes in a simple but accurate style, family and friends in their life.
employs simple and often humorous
dialogue. Little Women is a typical of 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY
young adult books of the time in that it
is episodic in structure, with its chapters Wellek, Rene dan Warren, Austin. Teori
often devoted to individual sisters. Each Kesusastraan (Diterjemahkan
sisters searches to overcome her oleh Melani Budianta) Jakarta:
“burden” in life, to become a “little PT. Gramedia, 1989.
women” and to find true love serves as
Nurgiyantoro, Burhan. Teori Pengkajian
the unifying theme of the novel. This is
Fiksi, Yogyakarya: Gajah Mada
a lovely and heart rending tale about
University Press, 2012.
the March family, a family who loses its
wealth and gains much more, love and
Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women.
Translated by Gema Mawardi.
Jakarta: Bukune, 2011.

Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women.

Alcott, Louisa May.

Selden, Raman 2004. The American