The Wedding and Social Order

Little Women

The marriages of Margaret March and Amy Curtis March redefine wealth, status, gender, and family belonging through chosen partnership.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Marriage Debate Marriage Debate from "Little Women". What Makes a Good Match Maternal Counsel Mrs. March distinguishes a loving, useful marriage from a rich but loveless social alliance.

Marriage Debate from "Little Women". What Makes a Good Match Maternal Counsel Mrs. March distinguishes a loving, useful marriage from a rich but loveless social alliance.

What Makes a Good Match Maternal Counsel Mrs. March distinguishes a loving, useful marriage from a rich but loveless social alliance. Jo’s Resistance Josephine March prefers permanent family unity and distrusts romantic separation. The debate establishes marriage as both fulfillment and change.

Margaret’s Choice Margaret’s Choice from "Little Women". Love Against Wealth Aunt March’s Threat Aunt March threatens to disinherit Margaret March if she marries John Brooke.

Margaret’s Choice from "Little Women". Love Against Wealth Aunt March’s Threat Aunt March threatens to disinherit Margaret March if she marries John Brooke.

Love Against Wealth Aunt March’s Threat Aunt March threatens to disinherit Margaret March if she marries John Brooke. Defiant Love Margaret March chooses John Brooke despite poverty. Her decision proves that family teaching has survived social pressure.

The First Wedding The First Wedding from "Little Women". A Family Ceremony Intimate Celebration Margaret March makes her own gown and marries surrounded by relatives and friends rather than fashionable display.

The First Wedding from "Little Women". A Family Ceremony Intimate Celebration Margaret March makes her own gown and marries surrounded by relatives and friends rather than fashionable display.

A Family Ceremony Intimate Celebration Margaret March makes her own gown and marries surrounded by relatives and friends rather than fashionable display. Continuity The wedding does not sever Margaret March from the family. It relocates her love into Dovecote while preserving the old household’s emotional center.

Amy’s Refusal Amy’s Refusal from "Little Women". Wealth Rejected Fred’s Offer Amy Curtis March refuses Fred Vaughn despite the security and status he represents.

Amy’s Refusal from "Little Women". Wealth Rejected Fred’s Offer Amy Curtis March refuses Fred Vaughn despite the security and status he represents.

Wealth Rejected Fred’s Offer Amy Curtis March refuses Fred Vaughn despite the security and status he represents. A New Standard Her refusal confirms that her inner education has replaced her former mercenary ambition. She now wants love that can sustain character.

The European Wedding The European Wedding from "Little Women". Love Confirmed Abroad A Quiet Marriage Theodore Laurence and Amy Curtis March marry in Paris to resolve travel and chaperone difficulties.

The European Wedding from "Little Women". Love Confirmed Abroad A Quiet Marriage Theodore Laurence and Amy Curtis March marry in Paris to resolve travel and chaperone difficulties.

Love Confirmed Abroad A Quiet Marriage Theodore Laurence and Amy Curtis March marry in Paris to resolve travel and chaperone difficulties. Family Surprise Their secret marriage shocks Josephine March but ultimately reunites the family. Their union combines romance, friendship, wealth, and mutual moral correction.

after Margaret March returns from the Moffats

near the first Christmas after the war

the following June

the spring after Elizabeth March’s death

six weeks before Laurie’s homecoming