BOOK REVIEW ON LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S “LITTLE WOMEN” THE ORIGINAL AND THE TRANSLATED VERSION BY GEMA MAWARDI
Silfi Dwi Agustin and Drs. Siswo Harsono, M. Hum English Departement, Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University, Semarang ______
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.
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