Gender and the Cultural Legacy of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868)

Led by Abby Goode of Plymouth State University.  What is it about Louisa May Alcott's Little Women that continues to inspire countless adaptations and popular culture references? Why does it resonate so strongly, even in our contemporary moment, when gender roles seem to have shifted so drastically from those of nineteenth-century New England? On the eve of Masterpiece's 2018 mini-series adaptation of the novel, this session will explore the complex gender dynamics, historical context, and social significance of a seemingly timeless tale. We will also discuss the novel's relevance in twenty-first-century U.S. culture.
Funded by NH Humanities.