Between Tradition and Progress: Louisa May Alcott's Evolving Girls

This BA thesis delves into the representation of femininity in 19th-century Victorian America through the works of Louisa May Alcott. The initial section sets the cultural and historical context of the time, focusing on gender inequality, societal perceptions on women and the Victorian definition of femininity. The discussion then examines how Alcott's literature reflects and critiques the gender norms of her time. Notably, the analysis will concentrate on three of her novels: An Old-Fashioned Girl (1870), Eight Cousins (1875), and its sequel, Rose in Bloom (1876), highlighting how these works address themes of womanhood, personal growth, and the tension between traditional and progressive gender roles. By investigating Alcott's portrayal of female characters and their development, the thesis aims to reveal how her writings influenced discussions about changing roles of women and the gradual shift from rigid traditional expectation to new ideals of personal development and self-realization in an ever-evolving society.