The Signet Classic’s Twentieth Annual Student Scholarship Essay Contest  sponsored by Read Penguin is a contest that requires juniors or seniors to write an essay about a book of Signet Classic’s choice. The 2016 pick is the novel “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. Students will write an essay with one of the given prompts and submit it for a chance to be one of the five students that can each win a $1,000 scholarship award and a Signet Classics library for their schools.

This year’s essay topics include the following:

1. Discuss possible interpretations of the word “little” in Louisa Mae Alcott’s novel Little Women. How do characters use or reference the term? Is “little” consistently employed as a positive term of endearment? How do you think Alcott intended the word to be interpreted?
2. In many ways, the novel pivots around Marmee, whom Alcott depicts as a model woman, wife, and mother. Why do you think Alcott created an idealized figure in a novel otherwise filled with deeply human—admirable yet flawed—characters? Do you find Marmee’s exalted goodness credible? Why or why not?
3. Although the Civil War serves as the novel’s backdrop, it is only directly observed or discussed as it relates to the economic and emotional well-being of the mostly female characters on the home front. In spite of this, does Alcott make any philosophical or moral points about the war against slavery? Or does she remain neutral?
4. Despite their close relationship, Jo ultimately rejects Laurie’s marriage proposal. Do you think she makes the right decision? What characteristics does Amy have that might make her a better mate for Laurie?
5. The experience of poverty recurs as a theme throughout the novel. What effect does poverty have on the characters? How do the values and behaviors of the March sisters contrast with those of the wealthy?

Essays must be submitted by a teacher to Signet Classic and must contain a cover page with the following details:

• Date
• Student’s full name, grade, address, e-mail and home telephone number
• Name of high school
• Name, email and daytime telephone number of English teacher submitting essay (please include summer contact information if different from school year contact information)
• Name, e-mail and daytime telephone number of the school’s administration officer
• Topic selected (#1, #2, #3, #4 or #5)
• Certification by teacher that the essay is the student’s original work

Essays without the required information will be automatically disqualified. For further information visit http://www.penguin.com/services-academic/essayhome/.