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2.2.2 Jo in Sisters’ Eyes
Jo is a “brother” in her sisters’ eyes. She hopes to be a boy. But “all that she could do are just to make her name boyish and to play brother to her sisters.”(Louisa May Alcott 5) She likes boy’s games, work and manners. Dressed in flyaway clothes, she often puts her hands in her pockets and begins to whistle. Being very popular among boys, she is regarded as the best friend by Laurie. She does not love to take part in balls and calls like her sisters. Receiving the invitation from Mrs. Gardiner, Meg is very excited and thinking about what to dress, while Jo does not care about it very much and the poplins with the burn and the tear is her only choice. In order to hide the burn and behave properly, she has to sit quietly in corner. The ball is boring for her until she comes across Laurie. And once she promises to make half a dozen calls with Amy which upset her.
Jo is enthusiastic and hospitable but careless, so she is always screwing things up. When sisters are getting ready for a party, she helps Meg with a few curls. However, curls don’t appear but a row of little scorched bundles. In spite of her poor cooking skills, Jo is to cook the dinner and invite Laurie to come, one day during the experiment time. She cooks it in her own way. The dinner is turned out to be a failure ended gaily with bread and butter, olives and fun.
Despite of many demerits, Jo has more merits. She is called “a regular Shakespeare (by Beth) who could write and act splendid things.”(Louisa May Alcott 8) She is so crazy about literature that staying in the garret stairs, reading or writing with a pet rat was her favorite. Nobody dares to interrupt her, when her writing does not go well. And Jo is very helpful. For Meg, It is Jo that accompanied her to the party and takes her home after her feet gets hurt, though Jo does not loved party. For Beth, Jo is her dearest sister, who she could talk about everything with. And it is Jo that attends to her when she is ill, pays for her to go seaside for being healthier and accompanies her to the end of her life and makes her comfort. For Amy, It is Jo that helps her to end her humility at school and free from the unfair treatment she faces in Mrs. Chester’s fair. So as for her sisters, nobody could replace Jo.
2.2.3 Jo in the Eyes of Males
In the Laurie’s eyes, Jo is his girl and best friend. Being frank and fond of freedom, she has hot tempers and strong wills which differ from other girls. Since she and Laurie have a lot in common, they become good friends first. For Laurie, Jo is the one he could share secrets with; And Jo is always the one who assists him when he needs; Besides Jo always makes him happy when they are together. Though they don’t become lovers, they are still the most important persons for each other.
Poor as Jo is, she is independent, thoughtful and respectable in the eyes of Mr. Bhaer. She is very kind and humorous that kids like her very much. Being kindhearted, she helps him to tidy up his house and mends socks which she doesn't let him know. She loves to read and write but also learns something new. Besides she would correct the mistake she makes immediately she realizes it. However, Jo is fragile and needs caring about and protecting. What’s the most important is Mr. Bhaer and Jo appreciate and respect each other.
2.3 Jo’s Growth and Change
In the progress of Jo’s growth, the first biggest thing is Amy’s falling into the river. When Amy burns up Jo's book which takes her several years over it, Jo gets very angry and makes up her mind never to forgive her. She ignores Amy who follows her and Laurie for apology when they go skating. Even she takes a bitter, unhappy sort of satisfaction in her sister’s troubles with putting on skates. Until Amy falls into the river and is saved by Laurie, she feels very remorseful and realizes that it is her dreadful temper that almost kills Amy. Fortunately her mother helps her with her own experience to control her bad temper. Later, Jo feels comforted at once by her mother’s sympathy and confidence given her. So Jo decides to cure her temper like her mother. After that, she indeed tries her best to control it. When Fred cheats in the game and denies this which makes Jo very angry, but fortunately she keep herself and appears cool and calm.