Transcendentalism in "Little Women" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin"

Paper Summary:

This paper presents reasons and examples that demonstrate the Transcendental philosophy exhibited in both Louisa May Alcott's novel, "Little Women" and Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin". The paper discusses the emphasis both books place on spirituality and the primacy of family and shows how the characters use their spirituality and their love for their families as the means to transcend materialism.

From the Paper:

"Alcott begins Little Women by invoking John Bunyan's seventeenth century text The Pilgrim's Progress. Alcott's excerpt sets the stage for the tone and theme of the events to come in her novel. In fact, the first chapter of Little Women is entitled, "Playing Pilgrim." It is no coincidence that Alcott would choose The Pilgrim's Progress as the work which would influence the minds of the four March daughters. Little Women is partly autobiographical, since Alcott herself grew up in a family of four girls. Moreover, Alcott's father was friends with both Emerson and Thoreau, which undoubtedly impacted young Louisa May. Her exposure to such works as The Pilgrim's Progress was a result of her upbringing, close to the heart of New England transcendentalism and to the values it espoused."

More papers on Transcendentalism in "Little Women" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin":

• Book Review # 113517 : "Women and "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
• Analytical Essay # 134163 : "Racism in Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
• Book Review # 118982 : "'Little Women' and Womanhood"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: