One of Louisa May Alcott´s favorite writers was the German poet Goethe and Laurie´s character arc in Little Women is surprisingly similar to Goethe´s young hero, Werther. When Sorrows of Young Werther appeared it caused a national outrage because Werther’s love interest, Lottie says no to him and chooses another man. In Little Women when Jo rejected Laurie, this caused an outrage (which still continues today, but more thanks to the movies, rather than the books). The way Werther treats Lottie, is at times very disturbing. Same as with Laurie. Did Louisa May Alcott copy Werther’s and Lottie’s story line in to her book? You decide. Let’s find out.
