Self-reliance is often rooted in the idea that no matter the circumstances that you were born into, you can still make something of yourself and your life and leave a mark on this world. One of Louisa's favorite writers was the German poet, Goethe. Goethe was born into great wealth, which eventually led him to challenge himself. Being born as a rich man caused emptiness. Some listeners might notice that this is down to tee Laurie's character. Goethe eventually found writing to be his calling, and he recommended work as the best remedy for a broken heart.

In Little Women, when Laurie is in Vienna after he has been rejected by Jo and has been lectured by Amy, he's writing an opera which would quote "harrow Jo's soul and melt her heart" But he just keeps seeing Jo in the most unflattering ways and soon Jo is replaced by a beautiful ghost who looks a lot like Amy, and Laurie sees himself as a romantic prince. I have seen about 14 Little Women adaptations, and this part of Laurie in Vienna has never been adapted, which is a problem. Laurie is flirting with this ghost for a while, and then he stops and for the first time in his life, Laurie realizes that what he's doing is silly and he remembers Amy's words. She took his hands and said that they were soft and white as a woman's and they had never done a day's work. Only picked flowers for girls and wore Jouvin's best gloves. As a result of this, Laurie goes to work for his grandfather.

Laurie's character arc in Little Women is not about Amy or Jo. It is the story of how Laurie becomes a man. In Louisa May Alcott´s world, the only acceptable wealthy people are philanthropists. With Laurie´s character, Louisa May Alcott criticised the people who are on the top of the class system.