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As the oldest March sister, Meg is sixteen when the novel begins, and like many girls of that age, she focuses much of her energy on her appearance rather than her work. She desires to live a life of luxury, and, considering that she is old enough to remember when the March family was well-off, she struggles to accept their current impoverished state. This frustration causes her to become jealous of her wealthier friends as she believes that they lead happier and more comfortable lives. Spending time among them, however, quickly teaches Meg that extravagant lifestyles are inherently shallow. She stays with the Moffats for two weeks, initially excited to indulge in all of the luxuries that the March home lacks. A growing sense of inferiority pushes Meg to allow the girls to dress her up for their ball, and when she tries to play the part of a socialite, she realizes just how inauthentic her behavior has become. While this event does not fully put an end to Meg’s dream of wealth, she learns the value of leading an honest life and begins to trust in who she is as an individual.
Meg may face trials and tribulations like the rest of her sisters, but when she emerges from them, she ends up leading the most traditional life out of all of them. She represents conventional goodness, taking after her mother with whom she shares her name. Her status as the eldest daughter often puts her in the position of a caretaker at home, she works as a governess taking care of the King children, and she has an overall gentle disposition. These qualities attract Mr. Brooke’s attention, and although Meg initially hesitates at the prospect of falling in love, he wins her over. Meg’s marriage to Mr. Brooke, a poor yet honest man, has little resemblance to the life she dreamed of as a child. Their little house has no room for finery, and Mr. Brooke must continue to work to provide for their family. With guidance from Marmee, however, Meg becomes a humble housewife and cherishes the spirit that her love for Mr. Brooke brings to their home. The life she leads serves as a celebration of American work ethic and domesticity.
Alcott ensures that Meg’s story does not end after her marriage to Mr. Brooke, and the struggles she faces as a wife and mother emphasize that even a traditional way of life is far from simple. She fails at her attempt to make jelly, causing a scene in front of one of Mr. Brooke’s friends, and she is unable to resist the temptation of luxury when shopping with Sally Gardiner. These two moments challenge the stereotype of the perfect housewife and offer insight into the inevitable learning curve that comes with marriage. Meg continues to develop her knowledge when she gives birth to her twins, Daisy and Demi. She initially struggles to maintain her own sense of identity after their arrival, neglecting both her and Mr. Brooke’s needs in the process. Together, they find ways to continue to show their affection for one another and reinvigorate their marriage as a result, highlighting the level of effort that supports images of domestic bliss.
