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Mar. 11, 2009
Louisa May Alcott: Feminist?
Louisa May Alcott is one of my very favorite authors. In fact, if I had to name one book above all others that I treasure, Little Women would be the one. Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom and An Old Fashioned Girl are also wonderful books by her that I love. But when I tell people this, they often say, "Wasn't she a feminist?"
So, here is my opinion. I don't agree with everything she promotes. But Louisa May Alcott, I have realized, was reacting to a certain type of female character that was very common in her day. The kind that wore suffocating corsets, highly unpractical ruffles, flounces, and heels, "puffed and frizzled," their hair, and were taught to be flirty, fainting, not-good-for-much, women. Girls flirted, married hastily, or for the wrong reasons, and then got to sit back and be miserable in the house all day for the rest of their lives. She saw what was wrong with this, and knew that a real woman was supposed to be strong and able as well as feminine. I think she got some things wrong, especially as she got older (I don't like Jo's Boys because all of the children have some amazing talent like acting or painting, and they have to go and get the very best training and have a career in that instead of using it in the home) but that was as a reaction to something else that was wrong. I think some of her feminism looks a lot like my anti-feminism.
Sometimes Louisa May says one thing, but then the way the story works out teaches a different message. In Rose In Bloom, she comes down on the men somewhat in the beginning, but then Rose ends up marrying and having a happy home at the end, revealing what Louisa May really believed in.
In closing, here is one of my favorite quotes from Little Women, by Marmee.
"'I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good. To be admired, loved, and respected. To have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience. It is natural to think of it, Meg, right to hope and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world, marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. Money is a needful and precious thing, and when well used, a noble thing, but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace.'
'Poor girls don't stand any chance, Belle says, unless they put themselves forward,' sighed Meg.
'Then we'll be old maids,' said Jo stoutly.
'Right, Jo. Better be happy old maids than unhappy wives, or unmaidenly girls, running about to find husbands, said Mrs. March decidedly. Don't be troubled, Meg, poverty seldom daunts a sincere lover. Some of the best and most honored women I know were poor girls, but so love-worthy that they were not allowed to be old maids. Leave these things to time. Make this home happy, so that you may be fit for homes of your own, if they are offered you, and contented here if they are not. One thing remember, my girls. Mother is always ready to be your confidante, Father to be your friend, and both of hope and trust that our daughters, whether married or single, will be the pride and comfort of out lives.'"
Are those the words of a feminist?
So there's a rant for you.
Hannah |
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Posted by
Sep. 5, 2009 - Untitled Comment
I agree with your view of Louisa May Alcott. I really appriciate her view of femininity. And I love the part that you posted from the book. It's really good!
Can I add you as a friend?