... a more customary life (marriage, etc.), I suppose Alcott is making the point that while the individualistic model of womanhood is more desirable, the customary one is more realistic. As the critic Rebecca Lukens points out, Alcott's idealistic writing reflects her father's efforts "to form the perfect social community- (291). In other words, she is teaching her young readers the lessons about growing ... ...

• Word Count: 1473
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate