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Gender Norms In Little Women

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Recommended: Gender Issues In Literature

Sarah Skyman
Ms. Montaño
English 800B
16 February 2023
Strict Standards
When men are used to having power over women, and women step too far out of gender norms, men are unsure of what to do. Little Women explores the early concept of feminism through Jo as she defies how women should be seen and treated. Jo’s typical Victorian sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy behave in ways that support 19th-century gender norms, thereby highlighting and emphasizing Jo’s differences. Jo behaves in a way that many consider manly, and she ignores her so-called feminine duties as they do not interest her. Laurie, Jo’s best friend, and member of the upper class critiques Jo and Meg’s feminine identities and often feels disturbed when the sisters do not live up to …show more content…

Laurie hurts Meg by commenting on her appearance. Meg is a feminine character who enjoys dressing up and attending formal events. Laurie should have thought about Meg and how his words could affect her, but instead, he sits in comfort, questioning her willingness to be influenced by others. Therefore, Laurie is preoccupied with his feelings and opinions and does not take women’s emotions into account before …show more content…

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Alcott suggests when a woman attempts to voice her opinion to a man, the idea will be rejected until a man realizes that the woman's opinion is correct and he can adopt it as his idea. Laurie is afraid that a woman could be bold enough to teach him a lesson, which further proves that men are far too egocentric and do not know how their actions can impact others. Laurie’s strict standards and expectations of women are derived from fear. When Laurie sits in judgment of Meg and feels comfortable criticizing her appearance, it allows him to feel superior and disregard her point of view. Laurie feels challenged when a woman puts herself in an assertive position, he cannot handle rejection from Jo and sulks off to Europe in despair. Based on Alcott’s depiction of Laurie, Meg, and Jo, we can conclude that egocentric men propped up by the patriarchal structure can be easily intimidated by powerful

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