【正文】 a struggling human girl like hundreds of others and she just acted out her nature, being sad, corns, listless, or energetic, as the mood suggested. It’s highly virtuous to say we’ll be good, but we can’t do it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together before some of us even get our feet set in the right way. Jo had to get so far, she was learning to do her duty, and to feel unhappy if she did not。 but to do it cheerfullythat was another thing! She had often said she wanted to do something splendid, no matter how hard。 and now she had her wish, for what could be more beautiful than to devote her life to father and mother, trying to make home as happy to them as they had to her? And if difficulties were necessary to increase the splendor of the effort, what could be harder for a restless, ambitious girl than to give up her own hopes, plans, and desires, and cheerfully live for others?The spirit of Individualism and selfreliance are totally reflected on Jo and she is the central person in Little Women who we admire. Simone de Beauvoir had written that the first time we see a woman take up her pen in defense of her sex.4 Jo was the person who took up her pen in defense of women’s right and aimed at establishing equal rights and legal protection for women. What’s more, there is another character who also can reflect the transcendentalism well. She was Meg who was also concerned with issues of gender difference and campaigned for women39。s rights and interests. Meg Pretty Meg, the oldest, was sixteen, and already showed domestic tastes and talents, though she detested the drudgery of household work。 and, a little vain of her white hands, longed at heart to be a fine lady. In her childhood, she hoped she could live sumptuous life. So she was so willing to go to Vanity Fair. And there was a chance to learn through party. Meg departed in style for a fortnight of novelty and pleasure. Mrs. March had consented to the visit rather reluctantly, fearing that Margaret would e back more discontented than she went. So Mrs. March agreed Meg to take her first taste of fashionable life. When Meg came back home she had told her adventures gaily and said over what a charming time she had had, but something still seemed to weigh upon her spirits, and sat thoughtfully staring at the fire, saying little and looking worried. Meg suddenly left her chair and taking Beth’s stool, leaned her elbows on her mother’s knee, saying bravely“Maumee, I want to ‘ferns’.”“I thought so, what is it, dear?” (Little Women, 256)Then she told the various bits of gossip she had heard at the Moffat’ Margaret sat thinking a moment while Jo stood with her hands behind her, looking both interested and a little perplexed, for it was a few thing to see Meg blushing and talking about admiration, lovers, and things of that sort。 and Jo felt as if during that fortnight her sister had grown up amazingly, and was drifting away from her into a world where she could not follow.As Mrs. March said, “I want my daughters to be beautiful, acplished, 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, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience. It is natural to think of it, Meg, right to hope and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time es, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world—marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. Money is a needful and precious thing and when well used, a noble thing, but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I’d rather see you poor men’s wives, if you were happy, be loved, than queens on thrones, without selfrespect and peace.” (Little Women, 289)Yes, I can’t agree more. Though these words are mon, they are very classical. Better be happy old maids than unhappy wives, or unmaidenly girls, running about to find husbands. So don’t be troubled, girls, poverty seldom daunt a sincere lover. Some of the best and most honored women were poor girls, but so love worthy that they were not allowed being old maids. This is the Great Spirit as the transcendentalism promote.In fact, what did Meg want was a cheerful home which a splendid, wise, good husband and some angelic little children were around her. This is Meg’s castle in the air or favorite dream. Nature was the great source of inspiration. Meg, too, learned a salutary lesson when she went to visit some fashionable friends and had her first taste of “Vanity Fair.” Her sisters gladly lent her all their best things, and, as she said to Jo: “You39。re a dear to lend me your gloves! I feel so rich and elegant with two new pairs and the old ones cleaned up for mon!” ( Little Women, 315). Yet she soon saw that her wardrobe was sadly inadequate to the environment in which she found herself. Whereupon the rich friends lent her some of their own finery。 and, after laughingly applying paint and powder, they laced her into a skyblue silk dress, so low that modest Meg blushed at herself in the mirror, and Laurie, who was at the party, openly expressed his surprised disapproval. Chagrin and remorse followed, and it was not until after full confession to Maumee that Meg realized the trumpery value of fashionable rivalry and the real worth of simplicity and contentment.So Meg shows the selfreliance and selfindependent spirits well and great spirit fighting for women’s right. Although it strongly maintains the selfreliance and selfindependent spirit in Little Women, it not emphasizes the spirit of selfish. On the contrary, mutu