Research Paper On Louisa May Alcott

3070 Words7 Pages

From Rags to Riches When one thinks of Louisa May Alcott’s works, a reader will automatically recall her seminal piece, Little Women. The plight of a family is followed within the context of the book, and the themes found within the pages discuss the concept of being poor and how it is mostly a state of mind. Based on this background, the basic precept shown through the text is the mantra that someone is always worse off, and each and every person should be thankful for what s/he has in life. Louisa May Alcott’s life is as interesting as it is variegated; the influences one can find in her works bubble slowly in the background, which make a reader think about what is actually being said. As one looks at Louisa May Alcott’s life, the following …show more content…

Louisa May Alcott’s writing was impacted by her parents and how they raised her, her protest against superior manhood, and the place that started it all. Alcott’s father may have let her down in more ways than anyone can imagine, but she did not let that hold her back. That experience shaped her, it did not determine her. If he had not been so obsessed with the idea of celestial nature, then maybe her childhood would have been salvaged. But then again, maybe we would not have the literary artwork we have today. In order for her to escape him, she had to do the unthinkable. She went as a woman out into the big bad world to attain an occupation and earn money. People did not approve of her efforts and regularly turned her away. Alcott looked on the bright side and made use of her talent. She wrote and wrote and wrote even if it was only the publisher's words and not hers. Alcott contorted her work in order to appease those with power. After a while she got tired of people not seeing the true her and decided to write honestly for herself and about herself. “Hospital Sketches” was one of her most edited pieces. Portions that were seen as unprofitable were expunged from the paper. Alcott refused to be stepped on so she published the original version all by herself. Alcott wrote “Hospital Sketches” not with the intent of selling it. The novel was simply a compilation of experiences. That military hospital had an unforeseen guise of death. On the other hand, “Work” was meant to be an informational piece that grabbed people’s attention. Alcott was purposefully exploring the depths of her decisions while simultaneously sharing them with the world.“Little Women” is an autobiography of Alcott’s most enjoyable childhood years. However, she was not inclined to write it. Her publisher told her to because it would sell splendidly. Sure enough, that publisher was correct, even if the novel made Alcott uncomfortable.

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