The Legacy of Louisa May Alcott
/Introduction
Louisa May Alcott was a literary powerhouse and one of the most influential women writers in American history. She was an American novelist best known for writing the novel Little Women and its three sequels, Good Wives, Little Men, and Jo’s Boys. The story became even more well-known after the book was adapted into films, which helped it gain popularity and become accessible to people who hadn’t read her novels. While many of us have read Little Women in school or watched the movies, not many of us know how Louisa May Alcott helped change the path for women writers that came after her.
Early Life and Influences
Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832 in Pennsylvania. She grew up in a poor family and was raised by her mother and father. Her family faced many financial struggles, and Louisa, being the caring person she was, took on various jobs and actively sought out writing opportunities to help support her family. During her childhood, she lived in Concord, Massachusetts, where she was surrounded by important writers including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. These people had a big influence on her and inspired her to pursue her love for writing.
Breaking Barriers as a Female Writer
When Louisa first began writing, she wrote under a fake name, A.M Bernard, because at that time, no one would take her work seriously if people knew the author was a woman. Later, her publisher reached out, asking her to write a story for a female audience. This story became the famous novel Little Women, which she based on her real life, family and childhood. Louisa based the story’s main character, Josephine March, on her own personality and personal experiences. Josephine March is known for her wild spirit, fierce independence, and sometimes reckless behaviour. Many readers identify with this character and connect with her strength. When Little Women became popular, it made a big impact on girls who found themselves relating to Louisa and her story. Little Women is not just a sweet story about four sisters. It is a story that gives a voice to young women and their experiences by showing the real struggles and hardships they go through. Louisa May Alcott helped future female writers by creating strong, independent female characters. This was just the beginning of how she changed the landscape for female writers who came after her.
A Life Beyond Writing
Throughout her life, Louisa lived a very brave and passionate life, with interests that went beyond her love for literature and writing. In late 1862, and early 1863, she worked as a nurse during the American Civil War where she cared for wounded soldiers. This brutal experience would later become the inspiration for her novel, Hospital Sketches. Along with caring for soldiers, Louisa was also a strong supporter who believed in equal rights for men and women. She actively fought to end slavery, and passionately advocated for women’s right to vote. In 1879, Louisa was the first woman to register to vote in her hometown of Concord, Massachusetts.
More Than a Writer
Louisa May Alcott was more than just a great, talented writer. She was a powerful and courageous woman who used her platform to help and support the future success of young women in literature. Not only did she give young girls a strong voice, she also helped create a world where women can write freely and without limits. Today, many people continue to be inspired by her determination to speak up for women and her passion for helping others.
Areen Adi is a passionate Canadian writer, driven by creativity, curiosity, and a love for crafting stories. She is currently enrolled in the Professional Writing program at Algonquin College, where she is strengthening her writing skills. Areen enjoys creative writing, focusing mainly on short stories and poetry, and hopes to one day publish her own book of poems. Some of her favourite things include sitting by the water, hanging out with her cat Kira, reading on her trusty kindle that never leaves her book bag, and sipping on addicting iced coffees. For Areen, the perfect day is a walk by the river with an iced coffee in one hand and an e-book in the other.
