Analysis Of The Novel 'Little Women' By Louisa May Alcott

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It was in the Victorian era (1837–1901) that the novel became the leading literary genre in English. Women played an important part in this rising popularity both as authors and as readers
Little Women is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888), the title was meant to highlight the inferiority of women as compared to men, or, alternatively, describe the lives of simple people, "unimportant" in the social sense. This novel was written in New England during and after the American Civil War.

Little Women considers the place of women in society by presenting the portraits of several very different but equally praiseworthy women. As we read the novel, we experience their different interpretations of femininity, and we see a range of different possibilities for integrating women into society. Because the novel was written in the mid-nineteenth century, historical context places limits on what women can do. However, we as modern readers may be …show more content…

This provided an alternative to the previously normalized gender roles. Little Women repeatedly reinforced the importance of "individuality" and "female vocation". Little Women had "continued relevance of its subject" and "its longevity points as well to surprising continuities in gender norms. The main role of women in nineteenth century America was to be good housewives. They were supposed to cook, clean, and tend to the children. They were also supposed to teach their daughters how to be good housewives. Women would usually grow up, get married, and go off to live with their husbands. The role of women in Little Women is seen throughout the entire novel. Marmee is in charge of teaching her daughters everything that they need to know to become a good housewife. Marmee also has to cook, clean, and tend to her four daughters. Along with the role that Marmee plays as a typical woman in the nineteenth

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