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Greta Gerwig’s Little Women may now be the best-received screen adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classical novel. While the essence of the original story is retained, Gerwig’s adaptation makes some subtle but much-needed changes that help viewers connect with the characters.
Each of the March sisters stands out on their own, as do the supporting characters. This makes it easy to assign each beloved character of Little Women an MBTI®. Fans of the book may find that the characters’ Myers-Briggs® Types match their book counterparts reasonably well.
Updated on August 25th, 2021 by Svetlana Sterlin: Greta Gerwig’s Little Women became one of the most celebrated films of 2019, both by critics and casual viewers. Something that all audiences seem to have appreciated is how well the characters translate onto the screen and how easy it is to empathize with them, even though they’re facing nineteenth-century struggles. The titular Little Women’s personality types guide them through their battles, and it’s what makes each character tick that defines their distinctive journeys.
10 Meg March - ISFJ
Often known as the Nurturer, the ISFJ type is known to be very caring, considerate, and perceptive of other people’s feelings. As the oldest of the March sisters, Meg certainly pays attention to her young sisters’ moods and desires. She often takes on an almost maternal role around them and is able to see things from multiple perspectives, like the conflicts between Amy and Jo.
When Meg tells Jo “Just because my dreams are different than yours, it doesn’t mean they’re unimportant” she’s putting herself in Jo’s shoes. She understands how Jo perceives her, and she’s explaining how it feels to know that her own sister disparages her. However, because she’s so compassionate as an ISFJ, this is also an example of Meg reassuring Jo, telling her that she doesn’t have to worry about her.
9 Jo March - INFJ
Jo’s MBTI® is one of the rarest types. INFJs are known to be both forceful and original, both of which are trademark Jo qualities. But she’s also more introverted than she seems. She’s outgoing around her family, and firm with the publisher, but when she meets new people and is forced outside of her comfort zone, a different side of Jo is revealed.
When she meets Bhaer, Jo withdraws a little into herself and becomes shy. This is very different from the way she behaves around Laurie, whom she only ever really sees as a friend. INFJs are also defined by their perseverance and their individual nature, and anyone who knows Jo will agree that she’s both persistent and eccentric.
8 Amy March - ESFP
Amy March’s MBTI® can only be ESFP. This type is usually people-oriented and fun-loving, which describes Amy perfectly. She cares a great deal about what others think of her, but she’s also very outgoing. She’s the most extroverted of all the March sisters and likes to be the center of attention at social gatherings.
As a young girl, Amy complains whenever she’s not allowed to join her older sisters at balls or other outings. Later, she expresses her adventurous nature in her desire to travel the world and create art for others to admire. She’s also quick to make friends with Aunt March and is incredibly honest with Laurie. If the other March sisters had been in her place, they’d have likely been more hesitant to confront him that way, which is why it’s for the best that Jo doesn’t end up with Laurie.
7 Beth March - INFP
INFPs are quiet and interested in serving humanity, which perfectly describes Beth. She may be the most reserved of the March family, but Beth is often the one who cares the most about the people around her. She’s selfless in a way that many people overlook, and she’d rather quietly advise her sisters on how to deal with their troubles than get involved in a debate.
Beth always wants to help others, and she does this by trying her best to understand them even when she disagrees with them. It’s this understanding nature that seems to draw people to Beth, and the loss of her quiet but steady companionship is what hurts the most when she passes away.
6 Aunt March - ESTJ
ESTJs are often known as the Guardians, and if anyone is the guardian of the March family name and its fortunes, it’s Aunt March. Traditional, organized, and practical, Aunt March tries to instill her values in others, albeit with limited success. ESTJs value security and peace, and though Aunt March doesn’t always find it, she does what she can to maintain her sense of physical and emotional comfort.
Though she doesn’t appear in the film for very long, Aunt March’s personality shines through. She’s very confident about who she is, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. This is a defining aspect of her character, and she leaves a lasting impression on those who get to know her, like Amy.
5 Mr. Laurence - ENTJ
As a wealthy single man, Mr. Laurence isn’t afraid of being assertive and outspoken, which are also two qualities of the ENTJ. Intelligent, well-informed, and competent, there’s no doubt that these traits help Mr. Laurence to maintain his fortune. However, it’s also why he and his grandson Laurie clash so often.
Laurie is a little more disorganized and spontaneous, which is the opposite of what Mr. Laurence stands for as ENTJ. He’s all about accomplishment, which is why he’s disappointed in the way Laurie lives his life. However, ENJTs are natural leaders, and their virtues include determination and rationality, which describes Mr. Laurence to a tee.
4 Laurie Laurence - INFP
It may seem strange that out of all the March sisters, Laurie would match personalities with Beth, but INFPs are often known as idealists and Laurie certainly fits that definition. When Amy claims she can choose who to love, Laurie replies with one of Little Women‘s many quotable lines: “I think the poets might disagree with you.”
Both laid-back and extremely loyal, Laurie’s dominant traits are different than Beth’s, but they both love unconditionally. This dedication to love leads to many woes in Laurie’s young adulthood. However, it also allows him to continue seeking out possibilities. Like many INFPs, Laurie is sensitive but this doesn’t stop him from leading a passionate, vibrant life.
3 Marmee - ENFP
ENFPs are often called Inspirers, and Marmee certainly inspires her four daughters. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy all view Marmee as the kindest person they could ever hope to meet.
Marmee has a strong set of morals and values, as displayed by her deep concern for the Hummel family. The scene where she and her daughters visit them and give up their own lavish Christmas meal demonstrates her innate sense of kindness, generosity, and nurture. It also makes Little Women one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. Overall, Mrs. March is great with people and seems to build her whole life around serving others, which is something ENFPs are known for.
2 Father March - ENTP
Resourceful and intellectual, Father March focuses more on his values than on practicality. Sometimes ENTPs neglect the routine parts of life, which Mr. March certainly does by joining the Union in the Civil War and leaving his wife and girls to fend for themselves.
He is a good man with little money, but as an ENTP, he is focused on ideas, projects, and people more than he’s worried about the family’s limited finances. He may not be the best with money, but he’s certainly an inspiration to his family.
1 Professor Bhaer - INFJ
Professor Bhaer and Jo have the same personality type, which makes them a great romantic match. Though they share many of the same qualities, like their strong wills, originality, and introversion, they often clash because of this. However, once they get past the initial stages of their relationship, they find that their shared values help them get along even better.
One of the best changes the 2019 Little Women film made is to Bhaer’s age. It’s unlikely that he and Jo could have connected so much if he’d been much older, even if their personalities complement each other. Bhaer’s creativity and intellect draw him to Jo, who also shares these traits but expresses them in different ways. After all, one of the defining traits of an INFJ is their individualism.
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