Introduction
My research is centered on the thematic strands of family and how helping one another as family members is crucial when balancing personal growth and familial duty. Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women focuses on the family bond that the four little girls share and their support for one another. With their mother’s guidance and their father’s participation in the Civil War, the girls learn how a simple way of living is critical in shaping who they become in the future.
Therefore, the girls understand the value of keeping their family supported and united, even as they grow into adulthood and have their own families. The constant struggles the little girls go through teach them to be sincere and honest. In my research, I proposed to uncover the primary understanding of how feminism contributes to the more extensive familial interests to the point that Jo and Meg ignore their responsibilities.
Annotated Bibliography
Moldstad, David. “‘The Mill on the Floss’ and ‘Antigone.’” PMLA, vol. 85, no. 3, 1970, pp. 527–31. JSTOR. Web.
The original book centers on the intelligent, strong, and resilient character of Maggie Tulliver, who must balance family loyalties with her own fulfillment and happiness. Tom Tulliver clashes with her sister, Maggie, when she refuses to abide by traditional, hurtful, and inhumane conditions. Maggie espouses a sophisticated commandment as she opposes vengeance against Philip Wakem, and Antigone espouses a higher law by burying Polynices, defying Creon.
This source is an article from the Modern Language Association of America that explores the recurring tension between social conventions and an individual’s moral vision. The source is critical since it reveals how the tendency towards practical-mindedness further exacerbates the conflict between Tom and Maggie, as Tom must dominate his inconsistent and imaginative sister. The article links to Cheng’s work by showing that maintaining a self-sense of purpose helps Maggie overcome Tom’s dominance. Like the girls in Little Women, Maggie struggles to balance her family loyalties, which means sacrificing her own fulfillment and happiness.
Cheng, Anne A.”‘ Reading Lucy Snowe’s Cryptology: Charlotte Brontë’s “Villette” and Suspended Mourning.’” Qui Parle, vol. 4, no. 2, 1991, pp. 75–90.
From Lucy Snowe’s tragic past to her travels from England to France to work at a school for girls, the character experiences psychological difficulties that make her develop resilience. Despite the book’s author failing to give the details of the tragedy, the reader acknowledges that Lucy is left without money, a home, and a family. The tragedy’s outcome leaves Lucy partially isolated; however, her resilience enables her to overcome her struggles, find work-related satisfaction, and establish relationships with others.
The article is significant to my research since it shows that despite life’s challenges at a young age, Lucy’s resilience enables her to overcome them. Cheng reviews Lucy Snowe’s challenges in her life and shows how perseverance can help one achieve one’s desires. The content connects with Gargano’s and Moldstad’s work by showing that, despite life struggles, having a passion for a constructive future helps overcome immediate challenges. Similar to Little Women, the article demonstrates that achievement gives women value, as exemplified by Lucy’s excellent job, and working honestly earns rewards for the girls.
Gargano, Elizabeth. “The Education of Brontë’s New Nouvelle Héloïse in Shirley.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, vol. 44, no. 4, 2004, pp. 779–803. Web.
Despite having a wealthy upbringing, Shirley is a strong-minded individual who knows what she wants. Similarly, Caroline demonstrates a strong desire for what she wants by clearly articulating her priorities. However, Caroline’s upbringing is in a low-income family, and Caroline’s struggles to realize and fulfill her desires are overwhelming. Not only does her uncle refuse her permission to work, but he also disapproves of her affection for Robert, whom she ends up marrying.
The article is crucial to my research, as it demonstrates that women have the choice to become who they desire, regardless of the social structures that grant men power over them. Gargano’s work is a critical source since it overviews two contrasting schoolroom feasts: institutional and austere. The work connects to Moldstad’s work by showing that committing to a specific goal helps Caroline and Shirley realize their dreams. Like Little Women, this article highlights the importance of believing in something and pursuing it until one achieves one’s desire.
Wasinger, Carrie. “That ‘old rigmarole of childhood’: Fairytales and socialization in Elizabeth Gaskell’s ‘wives and daughters.’” Studies in the Novel, vol. 40, no. 3, 2008, pp. 268–84. Web.
Using familiar idioms, Wasinger defamiliarizes the domestic narrative by presenting an intricate web of marital and class tension. However, as the author serializes Gaskell’s work and its publication in Cornhill Magazine, she uncovers the use of all-too-apparent fantasy motifs. The article contributes to my research by arguing that the quotidian matrimonial layering experience overrules fairytale narrative conventions. That helps establish how feminism is perceived in the context of masculine intellectual expression.
The source is significant since it helps lay the groundwork for understanding the most recognizable arenas that make it possible to explore adult sexual relationship dynamics. The source connects to Gargano’s work by showing that the social structures that give men power give them the ability to create fairy narrative conventions. Like Little Women, Wasinger goes outside the traditional understanding of matrimonial layering experience to give an overview of how feminism helps women achieve their purpose.
Synthesis
From Little Women, I discovered that Alcott’s approach to feminism in the 19th century was limited to the expression of self and the desire to maintain family relations. The content within the book has contributed to my understanding of Alcott’s reasoning regarding how different aspects shaped the lives of different characters in the 1800s. Through this, it has been possible to uncover how feminism and family were intertwined to the extent of ignoring personal responsibilities.
Alcott presents diverse yet divergent opinions that alter my perception of feminism as a whole and within family relationships. The author offers a rich diversity, which is evident in the four girls’ individual lives, to illustrate women’s power. However, one must recognize the several disconnects in the Novel, which are critical in establishing a continued analysis of the book.
Through my research on feminism during the Civil War era, I discovered that as men were occupied with the war, women had to take full responsibility for their families, which significantly influenced their future. Girls raised during this time, especially those from low-income families, played a significant role in ensuring that their behavioral traits and efforts contributed to creating situations that made them happy. I would consider enhancing my understanding of feminism and how it contributes to my personal development, as well as the various duties that modern women perform. Proper training is critical in the development of a good family structure. Regardless of whether one’s future follows a pattern of personal responsibility or family, how I approach my family dictates the impact I will have on everything I do.
Conclusion
In Little Women, Alcott demonstrates women’s ability by showing that women can achieve more than just fulfilling family responsibilities through support and unity. From this context, I would conduct research to understand the association between family relationships and women’s progress in society. Similarly, I would question gender norms and how girls try to achieve their best in a male-driven world. Moreover, I would work towards distinguishing challenges linked to marriage and employment.
Works Cited
Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. Grosset & Dunlap, c1915, 1915.