易燕英语专业毕业论文正文{小妇人}.doc

Analysis of Feminism in Little WomenAbstract: Little Women, written by American writer Louisa May Alcott, was regarded as the classic work about women growth. It mainly tells the growing-up experiences of the four March sisters in Massachusetts New England during the American Civil War. The four March sisters cannot stand their poor life and go out to work, earn money for the family in order to lessen the pressure of their parents and pursue their economic independence, realize their self-value. A lot of experience and life experience which brought different fates make them more mature step by step and become the little women. This thesis mainly analyzes the Feminism in Little Women from the following points. It introduces the definition of Feminism and Alcotts life especially her literary career, analyzes the characteristics of female characters in Little Women, and shows the common points of these four sisters and complicated and changing emotion between mother and daughter. It makes a conclusion: these four sisters annotate the New Woman Ideology and Feminism by strong will, kind-heart and independence.Key words: Little Women; love; independence; feminism 浅析小妇人中的女性主义摘 要：美国作家路易莎梅奥尔科特的作品小妇人是一部关于女性成长的经典之作。这部小说主要讲述了美国南北战争时期马萨诸塞州马奇家的四姐妹的成长故事。小说女主人公们不满足家庭主妇式的生活， 要求走出家门、步入社会、追求经济上的独立， 渴望通过发挥自己的才智以实现自我价值。种种感情体验和生活经历所带来的不同命运使她们不断走向成熟，成为真正的小妇人。这篇论文主要介绍女性主义理论和路易莎梅奥尔科特的文学人生，分析小妇人中的女性形象;阐述女孩们的在成长过程中的共同点以及复杂多变的母女情节。最后，四个女孩用自己的坚强，善良和独立诠释出新女性的形象和女性主义。 关键词：小妇人; 爱情; 独立; 女性主义 IntroductionLittle Women is a novel published in 1868 and written by American author Louisa May Alcott. The story concerns the lives and loves of four sisters growing up during the American Civil War. It was based on Alcotts own experiences as a child in Concord, Massachusetts with her three sisters, Anna, May, and Elizabeth.It is the story of the Marches, a family used to hard toil and suffering. Although Father March is away with the Union armies, the sisters Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth keep in high spirits with their mother named Marmee. However, despite their efforts to be good, the girls show faults: the pretty Meg becomes discontented with the children she teaches, boyish Jo loses her temper regularly, while the golden-haired schoolgirl Amy is inclined towards affectation. However, Beth, who keeps the house, is always kind and gentle. After certain happy times winning over the Laurences, dark times arrive as Maumee finds out about her husbands illness. What makes matters worse is that Beth is infected with scarlet fever in her Samaritan efforts for a sick neighbor and becomes an invalid. This is the story of their growing maturity and wisdom and the search for the contentedness of family life. It has become a much loved classic tale. It includes most problems which probably happen in the growth of young girls, such as the problems in first love, friendship between teenagers and the gap between the dream and the reality.The research on the novel is mainly focused on the following aspects: Interpretation of American society from the traditional culture angle, Transcendentalism in Little Women, from the angle of family education, from the angle of characters. At present, feminist studies often focus on the female to pursue the independence, freedom and equality and womens independent consciousness. There are many researches on Little Women and feminism, however this thesis will analyze Little Women from the perspective of feminism to guide people to pay attention to the growth of women. By describing four girls experience and life experience brought different fates, this paper analyzes the different characters of the four March girls and also analyzes the factors that influence their characters. Through the paper, we can see the kindness, loyalty, selflessness, generosity, respect, tolerance, perseverance and courage promoted in the book. They are also the virtues and beliefs that people always respect and pursue.1. Brief Introduction to Feminism and Louisa May AlcottThe period in which Louisa May Alcott lived was the boom years of Feminism and women emancipation movement in America. Influenced by this, she tried to become the spokesperson of women at that time in her unique way. Her feminist ideas are embodied in her novels. In order to explore it, we must take feminism at that time into consideration.1.1 Background of FeminismThe word “feminism” appeared first in France in the 1880s, Great Britain in the 1890s, and the United States in 1910. The Oxford English Dictionary listed “feminism” in 1894. Prior to that time “Womans Rights” was probably the term used most commonly. Feminism is a philosophy in which women and their contributions are valued. It is based on social, political and economical equality for women. It is a revolution that includes women and men who wish the world to be equal without boundaries. These boundaries or blockades are better known as discrimination and biases against gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status and economic status. (Simpson, Hillary 1992:35) Feminism began when women began to note the limited and secondary roles allotted to fictional heroines, women writers and female critics, as mentioned above and to ask about serious questions about their own relation to literary study. In an attempt to answer the questions like “How were women represented in mens literary texts? What was the relationship between the textual harassment of women and the oppression of women in society? And why were women absent from literary history?” The Feminist Movement emerged around the late 19th century. Feminism, as a whole, came in three waves, each dealing with different aspects of the same issue. The first wave happened in the 19th century and it dealt mainly with the suffrage movement. The second wave (1960s-1980s) dealt with the inequality of laws, and the unoffical inequalities. The third wave of feminism (1990s-current) arose from the perceived failures of the second wave. There is no doubt that feminism is to strive to change the situation and status of women.1.2 Alcotts Life and Literary Career1.2.1 Alcotts LifeLouisa May Alcott, a nineteenth-century American writer, retains her reputation as one of Americas best-loved writers of youth. That fame was established with the publication of Little Women (1868-1869), which has long been recognized as girls growing-up story and it is also viewed as Alcotts autobiographic novel, describing her and her sisters initiatory experiences. Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on November 29th, 1832. She was the daughter of the transcendental philosopher and educator Amos Bronson Alcott and Abigail May, a descendant of one of Bostons prominent families. Alcott and her three sisters were predominantly raised in Concord, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. They took in the practical Christianity from their mother and were educated by their father with unconventional teaching methods and high-minded idealism. The Alcott family was always short of money. The eccentric Bronson Alcotts various social and educational experiments, and his inability to maintain a stable income, often brought the family to the brink of poverty. While the material life was simple, the intellectual and family lives were exceptionally rich as the father brought his daughters into contact with some of the great intellectuals of the day, including transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and great literary men like Nathaniel Hawthorne. Therefore, during Louisa May Alcotts formative years, she often paid visits to Emersons library, made excursions into nature with Thoreau, and went to theatricals in the barn at Hillside. She also absorbed concepts about philosophical ideas and contemporary social movements such as Transcendentalism, womens suffrage, coeducation, and the abolition of slavery.Alcotts family background of high-minded idealism often mixed with acute poverty. Often she was the only economic kingpin of her family and she found many jobs that would increase the family income, from sewing to domestic service, from teaching to serving as companion to an invalid on a European tour. Meanwhile, Alcott kept writing and led a successfully literary life.1.2.2 Alcotts Literary Career Alcott was a shy person who did not understand why people were constantly trying to meet her. Also, as a woman, she was fond of adventures but afraid of boredom. She considered her contributions to American literature to be less than outstanding. She inherited her mothers dark physical features as well as her volatile temperament and active approach to life. She grew up in a humble atmosphere and was taught to do the best she could, but not for anyones compliments or rewards. Alcott was required by her parents to begin keeping a diary when she was seven. Bronson Alcott encouraged his daughters to record their daily observations and feelings in their diaries. He and his wife would often read these diaries and make comments in the margins. Judging from her diaries and the writings of her biographers, her mothers response was “To the First Robin, you will grow up a Shakespeare”. Reading widely helped writing. The Alcott girls were encouraged to read. Bronson Alcott read The Pilgrims Progress, an allegorical tale by John Bunyan, to the girls as part of their moral and religious education. Books by the most respected and famous writers for children of that time were available to the Alcott girls. Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte were two of Louisa May Alcotts favorite writers. Alcott tried her ink-stained hand at a wide variety of genres for the periodical press: poetry, fairy tales, short stories of sweetness and delight. Her early career as a writer began with her frequent contributions of sentimental short stories and Gothic thrillers to diverse magazines. Alcott also developed an early liking for writing for children when George Briggs of Boston published her Flower Fables in 1854. It was a collection of fairy tales which Alcott had written for Ellen Emerson, Ralph Waldo Emersons daughter, when she tutored her. A milestone along her literary path was Hospital Sketches published in 1863. It was based on the letters she wrote to her family about the men whom she nursed at the Union Hotel Hospital during the Civil War. In 1867, Alcotts editor, Thomas Niles of Roberts Brothers, approached her about writing a novel for girls. Then the first volume of Little Women was written at Orchard House from May to July 1868. It was an overnight success when it appeared in print. A sequel took Alcott another two months to write, which was also a success. Alcott followed Little Womens success with numerous stories and novels (such as Little Men, Jos Boys) that continued to become very popular among her reading fans. On the other hand, Alcott wrote a totally different type of stories called blood-and-thunder thrillers of passion and revenge published under the pseudonym of “A. M. Barnard”. The most influential was entitled A Fatal Chase of Love. Diaries, family encouragement, literary friends, extensive reading, lots of practice and her natural talent for story telling made Alcott a successful writer. In all, Alcott published over 30 books and collections of stories. Louisa May Alcott tried to become the spokesperson of women at that time in her own way. As a great and outstanding female writer, Louisa May Alcott vividly shows us fresh women images in Little Women through her unique and keen sight. We can conclude that Alcott is propagandizing feminism in her works. Some new characters who are filled with passion, independence, brevity and intelligence can be found in them.In addition, she pays attention to womens fight against traditional fate. She approves that women can gain happiness and realize self-value, as long as they are brave enough to pursue love and challenge their destinies. According to Alcott, both men and women suffer from misery, but women suffer more. Though under the shadow of fatalism, women can fight against misery with efforts and patience, they must think deeply about their statuses, their situation, their struggles and emancipation. The most important thing is that they should be aware of their status and take actions to change it. 2. An Analysis of Characteristics of Female Characters in Little WomenWomen characters are vivid and lively in Little Women. On one hand, their destinies really reflect the living situation of women in America in the 19th century; on the other hand, they display the great pain women suffer in the pursuit of self-reliance. The novel mainly describes four sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy .These four women have different characters and choose different life styles. But in face of womens common fate, they are all self-introspective, brave, independent, persevering and passionate. In the specific historical and cultural background, in order to realize what they pursue, they smash the restraints on women in the patriarchal society in different ways. In spite of great pain they suffer, each of them leads a meaning life. Their life experiences display the process of womens consciousness and self-improvement. 2.1 Megs Tolerance of PovertyMeg, is the oldest and (until Amy grows up) the prettiest of the four March sisters. Meg is beautiful and well-mannered, with large eyes, plenty of soft brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands, which she is rather proud. Shes also the most typical of the sisters She will do many things for her family. Meg runs the household when her mother is absent. Meg also guards Amy from Jo when the two quarrels, just as Jo protects Beth. Meg is employed as a governess for the Kings, a wealthy local family. Because of the genteel social standing of her family, Meg is allowed into society. However, after a few disappointing experiences, Meg learns that true worth does not lie with money. She falls in love with Mr. John Brooke, Lauries tutor, whom she marries. Meg bears twins- Margaret “Daisy” and John Laurence “Demi”(short for Demi-John).The eldest daughter is desire of worldly wealth and vanity, eventually marries a poor but honest man to spend their whole life. At last, she realizes how rich they used to be and what they should care is love and happiness. Because we all know love and happiness is more important than finances. Although Meg is beautiful and gentle but she was vanity, often dress out and keen to society. From the works we can find that she has a small weakness for luxury and leisure. That is vanity. At the beginning of the book, she claimed that:“Its so dreadful to be poor!” sighted Meg, looking down at her old dress.（Louisa May Alcott, 2002:1）When Meg received a regular note of invitation, she was so excited. She waved the precious paper and then proceeded to read it with girlish delight.“You must have gloves, or I wont go,” cried Meg decidedly. “Gloves are more important than anything else. You cant dance without them, and if you dont I should be so mortified.” ( Louisa May Alcott, 2002:35） Those words can best illustrate her characteristic. As she says, she is fond of luxury, and her chief trouble is poverty. She finds it harder to bear than the others because she can remember a time when home is beautiful, life full of ease and pleasure. She tries not to be envious or discontented, but it is very natural that the young girl should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a happy life.Her dream is to be wealthy once more, and have a huge mansion with lots of servants and expensive possessions. Shes also a bit of romantic; when she has to tell a story to amuse her sisters, its about love and marriage. And Jo starts to suspect pretty early on that Meg might have a real-life Prince Charming in her thoughts. Meg is sweet-natured, dutiful, and not at all flirtatious in fact, shes unrealistically good and proper. Perhaps thats why shes so alarmed by her sister Jos rambunctious, tomboyish behavior. Each of the March sisters has at least one major character flaw that she struggles to overcome, and Meg is no different. Megs problem is that she is avarice, greed, envy and wants stuff that other people have. Whatever you call it, shes got it in spades. Meg tries to set aside her materialism, and gradually learns to value simple things more because of the hard work that it takes to earn them. She doesnt feel like herself, and when she hears someone at the party say that shes dressed up like a doll, she realizes thats exactly what shes turned herself into, and she never does it again. Even at her wedding, Meg wears a simple dress that she makes herself by hand.2.2 Jos Struggle to Become a WriterAs a protagonist of the novel and the second daughter of March, the character is like a boy and brave, creative whose figure is tall and thin. Actually, Jo is supposed to be autobiographical depiction of Louisa May Alcott herself. She is a thoughtful girl who loves reading and writing, and has a dream to be an author and travel Europe at one day. Her nature often gets her into trouble, but her heart often pushes her into acts of kindness. She is free and easy, and she has steadfast determination which she struggles for dream. She earns living expenses with aunt March and writes articles for the newspaper to gain the payment to increase the daily necessities to the family. She has a close relationship with her younger sister, Beth. When Beth is burdened with scarlet fever, Jo cuts off her long, chestnut brown hair“her one beauty”, as Amy calls it and sells it to a wig shop to earn travel money for her mother to visit their father. Jo receives a marriage proposal from her girlhood friend and neighbor Laurie, but she refuses him. Later, Jo moves to New York, where she meets Pr