Introduction
In most patriarchal societies, men and boys dictate many affairs of their communities. They are charged with the mandate of providing direction. On the other hand, women are required to submit and do as they are instructed. Little Women challenges this tradition where men and boys define the lives of their female counterparts. Through the main protagonist, Laurie, this story describes how boys are also subjected to the same conditions that women have endured for years (Parille 2001 p. 32). Laurie is required to submit to traditional practices. Essentially, Little Women depicts boyhood as a phase in the development of men where they are required to adhere to traditional dictates and values. On the other hand, Treasure Island represents boyhood as a stage where boys enjoy nearly total control over their lives and play significant roles in defining the direction of their communities. In this paper, a discussion is offered on how Treasure Island and Little Women depict the nature of boyhood.
The first indication that Treasure Island presents boyhood as a phase that is characterized by active participation in community life lies in the fact that the story is written from the perspective of a boy. Jim mostly describes his experiences with a group of sailors (Stevenson 1883 p. 6). The perspective that the story adopts is indeed significant. It can be argued that the author desired to make it clear that boys are observant and their actions dictate how situations develop. It must be that Louis Stevenson wished to make it clear that boyhood provides individuals with the strength and insight to observe and take part in the affairs of their communities. The same cannot be said of Little Women. This story mostly revolves around girls like Meg, Amy and Beth (Alcott 1983 p. 2). May Alcott includes rather few male characters. This can be considered deliberate. Perhaps she wished to address the role that girls and women play. The effect of this is that the role that men and boys play is not offered much attention. It must be that Alcott wished to present boys as submissive voiceless individuals. When the perspectives and the overall narratives of the stories are considered, it becomes quite clear that they assume different positions on the question of the nature of boyhood.
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According to Little Women , boyhood is characterized by behaviors that are rude and should be avoided. This is clear from the conversation between Jo and her sisters. Jo whistles and her sisters discourage her. She is told that whistling is boyish and unladylike (Alcott 1983 p. 5). Insights into the nature of boyhood can be gained from the exchange between the sisters. It is evident that boyhood is presented negatively. The negative portrayal in the conversation between the sisters is in line with how the entire story presents boyhood. As mentioned earlier, Little Women depicts boyhood as a phase defined by submission. It is no wonder that Jo’s sisters discourage her from engaging in an activity that is associated with boyhood. It is as though the sisters do not want Jo to adopt the negative traits that come with boyhood. Treasure Island portrays boyhood quite differently. This story presents boyhood as a phase where boys can earn trust and respect. Jim describes how a sailor offered to give him four pennies every month if he agreed to try and spot some sailor who had one leg (Stevenson 1883 p 8). The task that the Jim was assigned is not simple. This indicates that he had reached a point where he could be trusted with complex tasks. Furthermore, the sailor offered to pay him for his effort. This suggests that the sailor had some respect for him. Treasure Island is clearly a narrative about how boyhood earns individuals respect and trust.
In most communities, it is common for boys to be required to fill the shoes of their fathers when the fathers are no longer present. This appears to be the case in Little Women. The father of the girls is away in battle. Jo feels the need to offer some stability and security in the home. She mentions that she wished that she was a boy so that she could join the father in battle. She also asserts that she ‘is the man of the family now Papa is away, and I shall provide…” (Alcott 1983 p. 9) Jo’s behavior indicates that boys are initiative and assume leadership. However, it also paints a rather unflattering picture of boyhood. It can be said that Jo is merely submitting to societal norms. Since it is customary for boys to assume leadership in the absence of their fathers, she declares herself the head of the family. Her declaration adds weight to the argument that Little Women presents boyhood as a time when boys are required to be guided by societal norms and traditions. Courage, freedom and independence are terms that can be used to describe the nature of boyhood as portrayed in Treasure Island. Jim describes how he remained courageous when others were scared of the sailor who asked him to keep an eye out for the seafarer who had one leg (Stevenson 1883 p. 9). This sailor would scare everyone else save for Jim. The sailor demanded the attention of everyone and would not let people to exercise their freedom (Stevenson 1883 p. 9). The fact that the Jim was not scared of this sailor can be viewed as an indication of his freedom, courage and independence. While the rest of society cowers in fear, he maintains his cool. He even states that he believed that the presence of the sailor ‘did us good’ (Stevenson 1883 p. 10). Jim serves as an embodiment the courage and independence that characterize boyhood. Through him, insights into the nature of boyhood can be gained.
As mentioned, above, Jim is an embodiment of boyhood. Traits that he possesses can be extended to all individuals who are in this phase of development. Jim is respectful and helpful. This is clear when one explores his relationships with others. There is an old and blind man who asks to be told where he is and to be taken to the inn to see the captain (Stevenson 1883 p. 32). While everyone else remains quiet, Jim offers to help the old man. He even cautions the old man against going in to the inn to see the captain (Stevenson 1883 p. 32). From the interaction between Jim and the old man, it is possible to conclude that boyhood allows individuals to respond to situations that require their intervention. Thanks to boyhood, individuals are able to gather the courage and stamina to respond to the plight of those who need their assistance. Alcott presents a different model of boyhood in Little Women. Alcott primarily uses the character of Laurie to portray boyhood. Laurie is presented as a weak and nagging individual. He stands in sharp contrast Jim in Treasure Island who is self-assured, independent and helpful. The nagging and weak nature of Laurie can be seen in his conversation with Joe. He mentions that he is sick and complains about how dull their house is (Alcott p. 82). He also complains that he is not allowed to read. Laurie is also rather insecure and too self-conscious. He mentions that he does not like bothering Brooke to read books with him (Alcott 1983 p. 82). It can be argued that Laurie is simply a young boy who is still learning and it is unfair to expect him to demonstrate the kind of maturity that adults are capable of. However, the fact that young boys such as Jim in Treasure Island are able to display maturity means that Laurie’s nagging and insecurity are without excuse. That Laurie is immature and fails to demonstrate independence is further evidenced by his inability to keep his room clean. He enjoys the benefit of the services offered by the servants in his house but he is still unable to keep the room tidy (Alcott 1983 p. 83). Alcott must have set out to use Laurie to shed light on the self-doubt, recklessness and insecurity that characterize boyhood. Her model is different from that used by Stevenson.
Loyalty is a value that is rather rare. When confronted with difficult situations, individuals tend to abandon their friends for those who promise comfort. It would be expected that in the face of death, an individual would betray their values and community in exchange for guarantees of safety. Jim defies this expectation. He remains faithful to captain Smollet who faces a mutiny from some of his men (Stevenson 1883 p. 190). Jim stays at his station and assesses the situation from a distance. The conduct of Jim is the very definition of loyalty. His conduct can be used to draw conclusions about the model of boyhood that Stevenson presents in Treasure Island. It is obvious that Stevenson wished to suggest that loyalty is an integral component of boyhood. Any word but loyal or faithful can be used to describe Laurie. He first develops a friendship with Jo before proceeding to get closer to her sister, Meg (Alcott 1983 p. 155). While his desire for a closer friendship with Meg is not necessarily bad, it points to unfaithfulness. Laurie represents the ill and rot that characterize modern society. Individuals no longer uphold such values as faithfulness and loyalty. Instead of staying true to their original relationships, they seek to create new relationships that make it almost impossible to maintain their initial relationships. An argument can be made that Alcott wished to describe boyhood as a phase where boys are unable to stay committed to relationships. This sets her model of boyhood apart from the model that Stevenson sheds light on in Treasure Island.
For the most part, Laurie is presented as an insecure and spoilt young man. However, for the sake of balance and fairness it is important to highlight some of his positive traits. Laurie can be described as gentlemanly and kind. He treats Jo rather well. He even remembers to send her flowers for a party that she attended with her sisters (Alcott 1983 p. 151). Laurie’s kind nature can be extended to offer insights into boyhood. It can be argued that boys possess the innocence and warmth that allows them to demonstrate concern for the welfare of others and kindness. It is important to remember that Alcott mostly depicts boyhood as a challenging phase where boys are confused, untidy and weak. The acts of kindness that Laurie performs do not provide sufficient ground to view boyhood in a different light. There are a number of instances where the actions of Jim in Treasure Island are not consistent with the overall picture that Stevenson paints of boyhood. In an earlier discussion, Jim has been described as courageous and independent. This remains true but there are numerous instances where Jim engages in acts of cowardice. For example, when the old blind man instructs him to take him to the captain, he ‘began to obey him at once, walking straight in at the door…” (Stevenson 1883 p. 32). This and numerous other instances where he displays cowardice are inconsistent with his general conduct. By shedding light on both sides of the characters of the boys in their stories, Stevenson and Alcott highlight the complex and multi-dimensional nature of boyhood.
In his commentary on Treasure Island, Christopher Parkes argues that Jim is likely to serve in the civil service. He bases this argument on the fact that Jim receives instruction and mentorship from Doctor Livesey (Parkes 2006 p. 72). Assuming that this argument is valid and correct, it can be argued that Jim is responsible and promising. He is actively involved in the lives of the sailors and this makes him a reliable individual. It must be that Parkes found him to be reliable for him to argue that he is destined to work in the civil service. Ken Parille authored a piece in which he discusses male submission in Little Women. In this piece, he argues that Laurie serves as a representation of the ‘masculine plight’ (Parille 2001 p. 32). This means that Laurie is used to represent the submission that men are forced to endure. The commentaries by Parkes and Parille make it clear that competing models of boyhood are presented in Little Women and Treasure Island.
In conclusion, Treasure Island and Little Women shed light on the issue of boyhood. Whereas Treasure Island discusses boyhood through the character of Jim, Little Women relies on Laurie to provide insights into the nature of boyhood. In Little Women, boys are used to highlight the submission and restrictions that are imposed on boys and men. On the other hand, Treasure Island explores the freedoms, independence and courage of boys. While these novels assume different positions on boyhood, they all serve to broaden the perspective on the nature of boyhood.
References
Alcott, L M 1983, Little Women, Bantam Classics, New York City.
Parille, K 2001, ‘Wake up and be a Man’: Little Women, Laurie and the Ethic of Submission.
Parkes, C 2006, Treasure Island and the Romance of the British Civil Service
Stevenson, R L 1883, Treasure Island, Cassell and Company, London.
