This article examines Louisa May Alcott's The Inheritance and Little Women in the context of mid-nineteenth century inheritance laws and Alcott's biography. Focusing in particular on Alcott's depiction of widowed aunts, it argues that these works expand definitions of family while also advocating using wealth for social good within and across generations.

This content is only available as a PDF.
© 2020 by The New England Quarterly
2020
The New England Quarterly
You do not currently have access to this content.