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| I love this interpretation by Greta Gerwig! |
I see all of the imaginary traits of what I wanted to be in the eyes of 10-year old me are reflected in the figure of Jo March: to be talented in writing (and drawing), to be able to speak out, to be carefree, and especially to manage being homely yet admirable at once. Jo March, a protagonist in the prominent American Classic Little Women, was the second daughter of March family. She was free spirited and chose to make her own way of living. As much as she appreciated her families and everyone in her neighborhood, she didn’t let anyone around her define herself. I knew later though that Jo March’s life was the complete opposite from the writer’s harsh reality.
Although the novel was set
in early 1860 in America, at some point the domestic things portrayed in
Little Women also resonated in the current life of Indonesian people. As the Civil War happened in the background and men served in the military, the
domestic issues were mostly about women: she and her three sisters. Her sisters
were equally attractive like Jo March. It was told that each daughter in
March’s family faced their own struggles of life, switching the innocent
childhood to the responsibilities of adulthood, specifically in regard to
marriage.
In Little Women, deprivation condition of March family made it reasonable to marry in
exchange for wealth. Yet, the March daughters decided their own way to marry.
Not to mention Beth March, the kindest of all, who died in a young age. Jo
March, though in the end she succeeded marrying someone she loved, she
initially didn’t want to get married and chose to live in her own happy world.
Then, Amy March, the youngest, was the realistic one. She determined to marry a
prosperous man. She believed that woman had no choice but to consider marriage
as an economic proposition. However, it turned out that she married for love.
Last, Meg March, the oldest daughter, chose to let go her dream of becoming an
actress by marrying for love, not for money. I remember the scene where Jo
asked Meg to run away with her so that she could pursue her dream, she rejected
in a stunning answer that she had always dreamed to have a family, that, “just
because my dream is different than yours, doesn’t mean it is unimportant.”
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| The March Sisters (2019 version) |
When it came to an end, I paused in awe for a little while. Considering it as a
feminist work (though many also object it), I admire how it delivers the
concept of feminism not as an exclusive one. It encourages each woman’s dreams:
to choose freely whatever life she wants. It regards the feminism not only for
women but also to shape a better world for men. I see that from how Laurie (or
Teddy) was associated with the March daughters to find himself. Laurie was
brought up as a brand-new masculinity that a man could be sensitive, connected,
yet still made a man out of him.
Then, out of many words
that can express women, I think and wonder at the same time of marriage as the
closest subject attached to women. All the March daughters were the best in
their talent: Meg in acting, Jo in writing, Beth in music, and Amy in painting
or artwork. However, the way they validated themselves was by getting married.
Yet, I know it is unjustified. The March sisters were happy for their marriage. It set them free. It comes to my thought then that marriage should be like that: liberating.
Those make the hot
discussion of a self-made lunchbox for husband (bekal untuk suami) on Indonesian Twitterland a kind of nonsense joke. It seems like people couldn’t even let other people enjoy their happiness. She, the wife, wasn’t even forced to do so. She did it
deliberately and happily. So I laughed when some people deemed it as a form of slavery in marriage. I respect any choice that woman, and man, or any
human, makes (as long as it doesn't cross my beliefs). I know a woman who chose
to not get married and adopted a child instead. I know a woman who chose to get
married very early when she was still studying at university. Those were their
choice. As for me, I can imagine that when it comes to marriage, I wouldn't
mind being a homemaker type: dedicating myself to ensure that the home is alright. Although I
think, for now, that marriage is still long way to go since love never
comes to me gently, the wedding invitation in almost every corner of week somehow makes me feel pressured lol. However, it is always sad to hear what people say about the best age
for woman to get married. Well, I know that famous saying about biological clock thing, but... that concept of age makes woman as if they were a withered abandoned flower when their best time
was over...
Sigh. I just wish for
everyone to be happy. Truly happy :)
Side Note:
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| I love this Jo and Laurie proposal scene :) |
#LittleWomen #ReviewfromIndonesia #BekalUntukSuami
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