The end of our discussion is drawing near, so it’s time for some of the important questions. Let’s start with one that personally bothered me …
Why did Beth have to die? And, almost more importantly, if she needed to die, why didn’t Alcott let her go the first time? Was it fomulaic, designed only to progress the plot the way the author had envisioned it? Or was there a story development which could not have existed without this structure?
The Literary Classics 
She had to die because she had no future. She’s the child who never grows up – not because she doesn’t live that long but because there’s nothing for her to do besides remain at home with her parents and playing the piano. Of all the sisters, she’s the weakest emotionally and physically.
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