I'm curious, because if they were in the source material, that was remarkably progressive for its time.
Though it wasn't recognized at the time, the basic plot is itself progressive in a feminist way. It is a household of women who are able to care for themselves, living by their own wits and hard work, even though there is no man around to lead them.
The main character turns down a marriage that most young women at the time would leap at, and any extra income or protection for the family comes from another woman (Aunt March)...in that she provides a safe haven for Amy in a time of sickness, later takes her to Europe, and leaves her home to Jo, with which she builds her future. I think she also gives Mrs. March some money to go to Washington when the dad is ill.
Basically, there's no knight in shining armor who rides in to "save" these women. They primarily get through hard times by their own devices.
I don't think Alcott even wanted to end the story with Jo getting married; I believe that was something her publisher pressured her into.
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