Senior Project Advisor

Lori Martindale

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Keywords

Little Women, girl next door, Louisa May Alcott, Greta Gerwig, Gillian Anderson, Winona Ryder, Saoirse Ronan, tropes, feminine rage, Betty Cooper, Archie Comics, Riverdale, women's anger, romantic characters, feminism, Good Wives, gender roles

Abstract

This paper considers the implications of the girl next door trope as a representation of girlhood and femininity. It begins with an exploration of the trope as it is currently understood by unpacking the traits and narrative implications of the character. It then goes on to explore how Louisa May Alcott’s magnum opus, Little Women, and its protagonist, Jo March, build a blueprint to reconstruct the narrow, patriarchal label. Finally, it considers how two of the Little Women film adaptations further expand on this reconstruction and consider the full possibility of the girl next door as a figure of empowerment rather than oppression.

Department

Honors

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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