Abstract：Little Women is a novel which has widespread influence, and it is very popular to the readers. The novel has never stopped being printed and published in the next more than 140 years since it was published in 1868. Its author Louisa May Alcott was educated and grew up among Transcendentalists in New England. This book mainly talks about the four daughters in Muggee family, who try to find their own well-being through their own hard work and self-reliance. Previous studies of this novel have mostly about the side of femininity, psychological and the perspective of biblical studies and so on.

This thesis intends to re-interpret it from the perspective of transcendentalism and tries to explore the transcendentalist concepts reflected in the novel, especially the thoughts that have important influence on the four sisters. The article is made up of four chapters. Something about the author is set on the first chapter, then the second especially to introduce the basic Transcendentalist thoughts. The third chapter stresses that Transcendentalism has important meaning March sisters. The fourth is the conclusion.

Keywords:  Little Women   Transcendentalism  Individualism  Self-reliance

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 An Introduction to Louisa May Alcott-1

1.2 An Introduction to Little Women-2

1.3 Literature Review-3

Chapter two Transcendentalism-4

2.1 Origins and Development of Transcendentalism-4

2.2 Beliefs of Transcendentalism-4

2.3 Significance of Transcendentalism-5

Chapter Three Transcendentalist Thoughts Embodied in the Novel-6

3.1 Transcendentalist Thought Showcased in Meg’s Life-6

3.2 Transcendentalist Thoughts Showcased in Jo’s Life-7

3.2.1 Self-trust in Jo’s Writing Career-7

3.2.2 Self-acknowledgment in Jo’s Marriage-7

3.3 Transcendentalism Thoughts Showcased in Amy’s Life-8

3.3.1 Self-reliance in Amy’s Artistic Pursuit-8

3.3.2 Individualism in Amy’s Marriage-9

3.4 Transcendentalist Thought Showcased in Beth’s Life-9

Chapter Four Conclusion-10

References-11