Page "Little Women" Paragraph 41

When Little Women was published, it was well received.

During the 19th century, there was a “ scarcity of models for nontraditional womanhood ” which led more women to look toward “ literature for self-authorization.

This is especially true during adolescence .” Little Women became “ the paradigmatic text for young women of the era and one in which family literary culture is prominently featured .” Adult elements of women ’ s fiction were in Little Women, such as “ a change of heart necessary ” for the female protagonist to evolve in the story.

However, even with much critical acclaim, there were criticisms.

Some felt that Little Women was the beginning of “ a decline in the radical power of women ’ s fiction ,” partly because women ’ s fiction was now being idealized with a hearth and home children ’ s story.

Both women ’ s literature historians and juvenile fiction historians agreed that Little Women was the apex of this “ downward spiral .” Elbert argued that Little Women did not “ belittle women ’ s fiction " and that Alcott stayed true to her “ Romantic birthright .”