Louisa May Alcott's most famous novel, "Little Women", is the story of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March. Central to the theme of the novel is the issue of overcoming ones character flaws. For Meg it is vanity; Jo, temper; Beth, shyness; and Amy, selfishness. Through the various activities of the four sisters told throughout the novel lessons are learned of the consequences of these particular flaws. A classic novel, "Little Women" was an instant success and popular favorite ever since its original publication in 1868.