The Dawn of Feminism

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The Victorian era was a time when the rights that women are so accustom to today did not exist. In fact, this era was especially known for the stern code of morality that was placed on women. Men acted more like property owners when it came to women. Men viewed women as only useful to serve a few specific purposes, and other than that, they were virtually worthless. Women like Louisa May Alcott, were seeking a chance to explore their individual freedoms apart from men. Women weren’t granted the right to vote until 1919; however, Louisa May Alcott expressed early interest in the subject of women’s rights, having lived through this demeaning era herself. It was almost 50 years after writing her inspiring and revolutionary novel, Little Women, that women were finally and truly recognized as equals and in which the passageway to women’s rights was rightly unveiled. Louisa May Alcott’s life in a 19th century restrictive society led her to write feminist novels that ushered in the era of women’s rights.

During the Victorian Era, countless restrictions were placed on women, and equality was not a social norm. According to Margaret Strickland, “For Victorian women, the opportunity for employment was limited to roles sanctioned and contained by domesticity (governess, teacher, lady's companion/maid, etc.)” (Strickland). Nowadays women are admired for having the ability to fill various roles in the workplace, and it is deemed unconstitutional for a woman to not be given her rights. Women can be doctors, lawyers, businesswomen, congresswomen, etc. The list is endless, and the roles we play are no longer restricted to just a domestic life. This is what Louisa May Alcott was striving for; this individual freedom that is so easily a...

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.... 2010. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.

Elbert, Sarah. A Hunger for Home: Louisa May Alcott and Little Women. Philadelphia: Temple UP, 1984. Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion. WordPress.com, 5 July 2011. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

Goodwin, Joan. "Louisa May Alcott." Louisa May Alcott. Unitarian Universalist History & Heritage Society (UUHHS), 1 Dec. 2001. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.

"Historical Analysis: Women as the "the Sex" During The Victorian Era." Historical Analysis: Women as the "the Sex" During TheVictorian Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Mar. 2014.

Strickland, Margaret. "The Struggle Between Sentiment and Sensation in the Writings of Louisa May Alcott." The Struggle Between Sentiment and Sensation in the Writings of Louisa May Alcott. Domestic Goddesses, 1997. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.

West Morris Mendham High School. Louisa May Alcott. West Morris Mendham Nigh School, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.

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