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Sallie Gardiner, who eventually becomes Mrs. Moffat after her marriage to Ned, is a friend of Meg’s. She comes from a family far wealthier than the Marches, and as a result, she is able to live a life of luxury that Meg can only dream of. Alcott gives the reader glimpses into this lifestyle when Meg and Sallie attend gatherings at Annie Moffat’s house but otherwise spends little time developing Sallie as a character. This choice, in addition to hinting at the shallowness of the upper class, works to focus the reader’s attention on the impact that Sallie has on Meg’s point of view. Meg repeatedly acknowledges that her desire for luxury is a character flaw of hers, and her friendship with Sallie certainly puts her self-restraint to the test. When she is young, the pressure of being surrounded by her wealthy friends drives her to sacrifice her values and sense of identity. Meg quickly realizes the mistake she has made in letting the other girls dress her up, but Sallie remains oblivious to the fact that her friend leads a completely different lifestyle than her. The temptation that Sallie represents remains strong for Meg even into adulthood, providing even more opportunities to highlight Meg’s character development. While she usually has the self-control to resist Sallie’s influence, one unfortunate incident involving expensive silk forces Meg to grapple with the consequences of her jealousy.
While Sallie’s primary function in the novel is to test Meg and enhance her character development, she also highlights the charming nature of Meg’s life with John. Sallie’s husband, Ned Moffat, comes from just as wealthy a family as she, and this ensures that she continues to have access to anything she could ever want. Whenever Sallie visits Meg’s quaint home, however, she recognizes the beauty and peace that characterizes such a humble life. She seems genuinely happy for her friend despite the fact that they are on completely different paths, and this admiration works to validate Meg’s simple home in the eyes of the reader. Her approval suggests that such a such a life is just as significant as one full of luxury and excess.
