Louisa May Alcott´s favourite writer was the German poet and not only did Louisa use Goethe´s plot devices in her novels such as Little Women, but Goethe was also one of the main inspirations for Friedrich´s character. 

In the novel, Friedrich is the one who helps Jo to become a writer, it makes sense that he is based on a man who Louisa May Alcott adored. (Why Greta Gerwig lied about that to millions of people is a good question).

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