I’ve seen the 1994 version of the film, and I was ten then, so a lot of the passages of Little Women seem familiar to me in a kind of vague way. We heard Dr. Campbell read that quote about Theodore Roosevelt being very taken with the novel. I believe the term “worshipped” was used. I think it makes perfect sense that he read it, for Roosevelt was just a sickly 9 years old when the book was first published, not the mustachioed, panama canal establishing, rough rider safari-master president that our minds immediately jump to. What else is he going to be doing back in 1868, playing hoop-and-stick?
Robyn has a very good post on how many people identify with Jo, citing her charisma and spirit as the ideal features we wish to relate to. I think another important aspect is that we do have one very large connection with Jo. Even if one doesn’t like the book that much, it’s impossible to deny the fact that very much like Jo, we are all readers. Also, since we are enveloped in the medium that Jo dominates, thanks to her voracious literary appetite, she ends up coming across best for that particular medium. Now maybe if this narrative were translated into a “Peter And The Wolf”-like recording, Beth’s musical prowess would allow her to (heaven forbid) dominate. Or if it was some MTV reality show where the main character’s mission are to be a stuck up little bitch, well I think Amy would definitely succeed in that otherworldly realm.