|
|
<- Previous Page |
First Page
| Next Page ->
MonkeyNotes-Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Table of Contents
| Printable
Version
Background Information
LITERARY/HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Louisa May Alcott was the second daughter born to Abigail and
Bronson Alcott. Her life was one of extremes, going from a
well-do-to Bostonian lifestyle to the abject poverty .Her father
responded to the despair of debt by indulging in transcendental
philosophy and forcing a "natural" way of living onto his wife
and children. Abigail, however, was a forceful woman and
eventually stood up to her husband, taking her familyÂ’s well
being into her own hands. Thus both mother and the two oldest
girls took on work to keep the family going. Louisa engaged in
sewing and teaching for many years, but she had become
writing in earnest while living in their primitive home in
fruitwood and gradually earned more money from her written
work.
LouisaÂ’s writing was always done for the purpose of making
money. She wrote what she referred to as "lurid"stories as well
as horror stories under several pseudonyms and was moderately
successful. Little Women was written at the request of her editor
who wanted her to write a "story for girls." Alcott wrote the
novel quickly, writing a chapter a day and basing the story on
the real lives and events of herself and her sisters. Although
both she and her editor considered the story "flat," the response
of the public was overwhelmingly positive. It was the first novel
of its kind, being straightforward and true to life rather then
existing solely to expound religious didacticism or male views
on how girls ought to behave. The book brought Alcott fame
and wealth almost overnight, but ultimately did not ease the
pressures of her private life. After a life of continuously
fluctuating finances, she never felt secure in her wealth.
Furthermore, she took on the burdens of her motherÂ’s illness
and the care of the family, struggling with a sense of loss over
each death or marriage. She died in her mid 50's after struggling
with years of illness resulting from mercury poison-a "cure"
from pneumonia which she contracted during her years of
nursing civil war soldiers.
Table of Contents
| Printable
Version
<- Previous Page |
First Page
| Next Page ->
MonkeyNotes-Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
|
|
