Is an egalitarian marriage possible?
Maybe. A relationship based in the idea of equality. It can happen, but a few other things must happen as well. For instance, the person who “wears the pants” in the relationship must take those pants off. Figuratively speaking of course. It is the way of human life, to dominate less prosperous beings. The Egyptians did it to Jewish people, Whites did it to Blacks, the Nazis did it to Jewish people, and men have always done it to women, at least in the U.S. which is where this book takes place anyway. Breaking down that socially constructed barrier restricting women from being just as prosperous and equal to men must happen in order for this form of marriage to occur. This idea may seem far-fetched, but I believe Louisa May Alcott is attempting to show the possibilities of this event. Amy and Laurie rowing the boat together, sit right next (equal) to each other in order to keep the boat (relationship) from tipping over. Maybe Alcott is trying to say that for a marriage to be great and long-lasting there must first be equality between the husband and wife.