Little Women
In the years after the Civil War, Jo March (Saoirse Ronan) lives in New York City and makes her living as a writer, while her sister Amy March (Florence Pugh) studies painting in Paris. Amy has a chance encounter with Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (Timothée Chalamet), a childhood crush who proposed to Jo, but was ultimately rejected. Their oldest sibling, Meg March (Emma Watson), is married to a schoolteacher, while shy sister Beth (Eliza Scanlen) develops a devastating illness that brings the family back together.
Despite a mid-range budget of $40.0M, Little Women became a solid performer, earning $216.6M worldwide—a 442% return.
1 Oscar. 73 wins & 230 nominations
Sheila O'Malley
"Gerwig breathes new life into Alcott's classic, creating a vibrant, emotional adaptation that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary."Read Full Review
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Little Women (2019) demonstrates carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Greta Gerwig's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 15 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.9, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jo March walks through snowy New York City streets to submit her writing to a publisher, establishing her as an independent woman pursuing her ambitions in the city, separate from her family.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Jo receives a telegram that Beth is gravely ill. This forces Jo to leave her independent life in New York and return home, disrupting her escape from family obligations and confronting her with the fragility of her cherished past.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Laurie proposes to Jo and she rejects him. This false defeat shatters their friendship and forces Jo to confront that she cannot have the comfort of Laurie's love without sacrificing her independence. Stakes raise: she must now find her own way completely alone., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (68% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Beth dies peacefully at home. The heart of the March family is lost. Jo is devastated, confronting mortality and the end of childhood. This is the literal "whiff of death"—the sister who embodied pure goodness and unconditional love is gone., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 73% of the runtime. Jo writes "Little Women" from truth, refusing to marry off her heroine. She negotiates for copyright ownership. Friedrich returns and confesses love; Jo reciprocates. Amy and Laurie return married. Jo transforms Beth's death into art, claims her independence AND accepts love, revolutionizing the publisher's expectations., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Little Women's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Little Women against these established plot points, we can identify how Greta Gerwig utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Little Women within the drama genre.
Greta Gerwig's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Greta Gerwig films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.1, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Little Women takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Greta Gerwig filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Greta Gerwig analyses, see Lady Bird, Barbie.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jo March walks through snowy New York City streets to submit her writing to a publisher, establishing her as an independent woman pursuing her ambitions in the city, separate from her family.
Theme
Marmee tells the girls: "I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good. To be admired, loved, and respected. To have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives." Theme: balancing personal ambition with societal expectations for women.
Worldbuilding
Nonlinear structure establishes two timelines: present-day Jo in New York (1868) and flashbacks to the March sisters' girlhood (1861-1866). We meet all four sisters, their personalities, dreams, and the warmth of their family home despite poverty during the Civil War.
Disruption
Jo receives a telegram that Beth is gravely ill. This forces Jo to leave her independent life in New York and return home, disrupting her escape from family obligations and confronting her with the fragility of her cherished past.
Resistance
Jo returns home and sits vigil with Beth. Through flashbacks, we see the sisters' childhood dreams and Jo's resistance to traditional feminine roles. Marmee serves as guide, teaching values of kindness and authenticity. Jo debates whether she can have both independence and love.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The fun and games of sisterhood: theatrical performances, Christmas celebrations, first loves, social visits to the Laurences, Jo's writing ambitions flourishing. The joy of youth, creativity, and the sisters' bond at its strongest. Amy burns Jo's manuscript; Meg falls for Mr. Brooke; Beth contracts scarlet fever.
Midpoint
Laurie proposes to Jo and she rejects him. This false defeat shatters their friendship and forces Jo to confront that she cannot have the comfort of Laurie's love without sacrificing her independence. Stakes raise: she must now find her own way completely alone.
Opposition
Present timeline pressures mount: Beth is dying, Jo's publisher wants her to marry off her heroine, Amy is in Europe with Laurie (causing jealousy and regret), Meg struggles with married life and poverty. Jo's artistic integrity is challenged; her isolation deepens. The sisters' unity fractures with adulthood.
Collapse
Beth dies peacefully at home. The heart of the March family is lost. Jo is devastated, confronting mortality and the end of childhood. This is the literal "whiff of death"—the sister who embodied pure goodness and unconditional love is gone.
Crisis
Jo processes grief and isolation. She tells Friedrich Bhaer she doesn't believe she'll ever marry, convinced she's too independent and has lost her chance at love. Dark night: Jo believes her choices have led to loneliness and that her writing must compromise to succeed.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Jo writes "Little Women" from truth, refusing to marry off her heroine. She negotiates for copyright ownership. Friedrich returns and confesses love; Jo reciprocates. Amy and Laurie return married. Jo transforms Beth's death into art, claims her independence AND accepts love, revolutionizing the publisher's expectations.