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Description:
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This comparative dissertation explores in -depth the categories of class , gender , and marriage in both the writings of the American Louisa May Alcott (1832 -1888 ) , and the British author , George Eliot (1819 -1880 ) . In addition , and when relevant , additional topics and categories are investigated , including , but not limited to : religion , morals , race , and education . The primary Alcott fictional works studied include Moods (1864 & 1882 ) , Little Women (1868 -69 ) , and Work (1873 ) . The primary Eliot fictional works studied include Adam Bede (1859 ) , The Mill on the Floss (1861 ) , Middlemarch (1871 -72 ) , and Daniel Deronda (1876 ) . Although the focus is on their most famous works , additional novels , essays , and other writings are also considered when relevant .
It is the goal of this dissertation to show the impact these two women had on their overall societies by way of their writings . Both Alcott and Eliot relied heavily on the topics of class , gender , and marriage in their storylines , both had revolutionary ideas when it came to these topics , and both implemented these revolutionary ideas into their stories in a way that helped change the way their contemporary readers thought and behaved in their own ways of life . |