Good Strong Words

Here is the abstract of my undergraduate Honor Thesis. If you would like to read the full paper, continue to the linked PDF. I have also attached my presentation slideshow if you would like to view the main points of each section.

“I argue that Louisa May Alcott was influenced by Margaret Fuller’s Transcendentalist feminist philosophy regarding gender roles, male and female friendships, and marriage. I analyze how Jo’s character and relationships in Little Women reflect Fuller’s philosophy. I use biographical research to show how Margaret Fuller was a friend and colleague of Bronson Alcott, Louisa May Alcott’s father. As is seen in his journals, Bronson Alcott aimed to raise Louisa May Alcott and her sisters in Transcendentalism, including Fuller’s feminist ideals. My analysis reveals that Fuller’s philosophy of the fluidity of gender roles is present in Little Women through Jo, who holds traditionally masculine traits and seeks to engage in the public sphere. Jo’s relationship with Laurie also shows Fuller’s idea of harmony between the masculine and feminine since Laurie holds traditionally feminine traits. Fuller promoted friendship as being the basis for marriage. However, even though Laurie and Jo do not marry, Fuller’s philosophy of friendship can still be seen in their relationship. Alcott builds on Fuller’s philosophy of friendship being the basis of marriage to show that male-female friendship can be valuable
independent of marriage. Finally, I argue that Jo’s marriage to Professor Bhaer is a cautionary tale about rushing into an inegalitarian marriage due loneliness and fear of becoming an “old maid.” My thesis provides an alternative view of the conclusion of Little Women and a deeper understanding of how Alcott was influenced by and builds on feminist philosophy. In doing so, my thesis enriches our perspective on feminist thought within literature preceding the First Wave of Feminism in America.”