Abstract

Little Women is the masterpiece of American female writer—Louisa May Alcott. The novel is based on American Civil War and shows readers a real world of female growth. The thesis aims at analyzing the growth of the March sisters in Little Women from the prospective of feminist. Under the background of the development of feminism movement and in a warm family environment, they change from subordination to independence, from submission to the traditional view of marriage to the pursuit of a marriage based on love, and from compromise with the patriarchal society to the pursuit of a harmonious gender relationship. In a sense, the “little women” are not “little”, but the women of self-reliance. Based on the analysis of the positive growth process of the March sisters, this thesis encourages both contemporary and future women generations to brave enough to challenge the traditional ideas as well as pursue their real independence, so as to realize their value of life. 

Keywords: feminist; Little Women; female growth; March sisters

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

3. The Growth of March Sisters in Little Women-3

3.1 From subordination to independence-3

3.2 From submission to traditional marriage to the pursuit of a marriage based on love-5

3.3 From compromise with the patriarchal society to the establishment of a harmonious gender relationship-6

4. The Reasons for the Growth of March Sisters in Little Women-7

4.1 Social background-7

4.2 Family atmosphere-8

5. Conclusion-9

Works Cited-11