Pbs Learning Media: Little Women: Becoming a Writer

Explore the conflict between Jo March and her father over writing for money, in this video excerpt [1:36] from Little Women, Masterpiece. Like Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, Jo is an aspiring writer. When she receives a sizable offer to publish her novel if she makes "significant" changes to it, Mr. March (based on Louisa's father, the idealistic but poverty-stricken Bronson Alcott) tells her "money isn't everything." Frustrated by her father's indifference to life's practicalities, Jo rejects his advice. Read the accompanying essay to learn more about Louisa's life and how it inspired Jo's character. This resource is part of the Masterpiece Collection. Teaching materials are included.