'Little Women', a classic novel by Louisa May Alcott was adapted into a movie under the direction of Greta Gerwig (one of my absolute favourite directors of all time) in the year 2019. It portrays the lives of four sisters- Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy- navigating love, aspirations, and societal expectations during the Civil War era. The film beautifully captures their individual journeys and the evolving dynamics of sisterhood. Jo March, who is the second of the four March sisters, is the protagonist who aspires with every fibre in her to become a well-acclaimed writer. It's even more interesting how the character of Jo is actually based on Louisa May Alcott herself, making the story sort of a semi-autobiography. Played by Saoirse Ronan, Jo is portrayed as an extremely independent woman, challenging the gender roles and the restraints placed upon women in society.
Even though the whole movie is something that strikes the very depths of our hearts, there is one particular monologue in it by Jo which stands out. It's on an elevated level from the rest of the scenes so much so that it is known as THE Jo March monologue. Throughout the whole of the movie, we see Jo being someone who is highly centred around her own dreams and aspirations of being a great writer and anything other than that is of lesser or no value to her. She has only one goal in mind and she rejects anything that might possibly hinder her from reaching it- hence, why she rejects the romantic advances of her best friend and the guy who was madly in love with her, Laurie. This character, who is played by Timothee Chalamet confesses his intense love to Jo in a really heart-touching way that goes-
"I've loved you ever since I've known you, Jo. I couldn't help it. And I tried to show and you wouldn't let me. We're just fine but I must make you hear now and give me an answer because I cannot go on like this! I gave up billiards. I gave up everything you didn't like. I'm happy I did. It's fine and I waited, and I never complained because I- You know, I figured you'd love me, Jo."
And we'd think Jo would be moved by this. We'd think Jo would reciprocate the love that Laurie has for her as that is usually how all the classic stories go. But that's not what happens here. Jo rather says,
"I don't see why I can't love you as you want me to. I don't know why.. Teddy, it would be a disaster if we married. Okay? We'd be miserable.. Look, you'll find some lovely, accomplished girl who will love you and adore you, and she's going to make a fine mistress to your fine house but I wouldn't. Alright? Look at me. I'm homely and I'm awkward and I'm odd. And you'd be ashamed of me. And we would quarrel because we can't help it even now. I'd hate elegant society and you'd hate my scribbling, and we would be unhappy. And we'd wish we hadn't done it and everything will be horrid... Teddy, I don't believe I will ever marry. I'm happy as I am, and I love my liberty too well to be in any hurry to give it up."
Take notice of those last two lines because they're of much importance to THE monologue that Jo delivers later on in the presence of her mother. In that scene, her mother notices her distressed state of mind and asks her the reason for it.
She says, "I don't know. I've always been quite content with my family. Don't understand it. Perhaps.. perhaps, I was too quick in turning him down- Laurie."
"Do you love him?", her mother asks.
"If he asked me again, I think I would say yes. Do you think he'll ask me again?"
"But do you love him?"
"I care more to be loved.. I want to be loved."
"That is not the same as loving."
And here comes the infamous monologue by Jo-
"You know, I just.. I just feel.. I just feel like women- they.. they have minds and they have souls as well as just hearts and they've got ambition and they've got talent as well as just beauty and I'm so sick of people saying that.. that love is just all a woman is fit for. I'm so sick of it. But I'm so- I'm so lonely.
The first part of her dialogue showcases her frustration over how women's ideas, desires and dreams are undermined and viewed as something inferior to those of men, which is true even in today's society. There are still people who have the notion that marriage is the ultimate goal of a woman's life. There are people who bring up their daughters and nieces, crushing their dreams and cutting off their wings, in a manner that makes them a sub-ordinated and eligible candidate to be married off to some random stranger once they attain the legal age for it. Women are still criticised for being independent and working for their own benefit. They're still criticised by society for prioritising their own self and their own dreams and careers above anything else. So we can imagine how it must've been for Jo in that period.
But the last part. It's the turning point in her speech.
She speaks of how despite aspiring for greatness and independence, we're all just mere humans in the end, craving human connection. We cannot lead a life entirely by ourselves. We want someone. We need someone. And that someone need not be a romantic partner. It's wrong to interpret Jo's speech solely in a romantic point of view. She says she feels lonely because everything in her life is changing and she does not want to accept that fact. As everyone else is growing up and taking their own paths in life, Jo has either intentionally or unintentionally decided to never emotionally grow up. What she thought would be permanent in her life- her family- was suddenly not so permanent anymore due to several changes that take place throughout the course of the movie. And she realises that she has been a little too adamant about standing on her own to the point that she now has no one who she can truly call her own. Despite still wanting to achieve her dreams, the fact that she is alone truly disturbs her. She wants to be loved. She wants someone to be there for her no matter how strong or brave or capable she is by her own self. And it's like that with every single one of us.
Yes, we need to stand on our own feet, disregarding the exhausting societal distinctions of our gender. We need to have our own dreams and our own goals and we should strive with much determination towards it. But we also need to realise that everything won't be the same all the time. We need to realise that we can't actually do it all by ourselves.
We need someone who would lend a shoulder when we feel like resting our heads. We need someone who would pick us up from the ground and tell us it's alright when we fall down and are mocked by others. We all need someone to share love, trust and comfort with because in the end, as I said before, we're only human.
We need a person we can call our own. Be it a parent, a sibling, a relative, a friend or a lover.
We can't survive in this cruel world just by ourselves. We need someone by our side, holding our hand through thick and thin. And this is the true essence of Jo's words. And this is why this monologue is so significant and must be one that is remembered by each and every single one of us.
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