What is "true womanhood" in the March family?

Carroll Smith-Rosenberg relates the concept of “true womanhood” to women reformers in the 19th century who aimed to transform the world into a home though their moral superiority. Although Little Women does embody the Cult of Domesticity, I don’t believe an attitude of reform is present.

Home values are an essential aspect of this book as they are the virtues that Marmee aims to teach the little women through their moral lessons that range from learning the importance of fulfilling one’s duty to being grateful for what one has instead of envying those with more. She expects her daughters to not only behave like proper women at home, but perhaps more importantly, when out in society (a reason why Amy, rather than Jo, is chosen by Aunt March to travel abroad).

Although not explicitly stated, it is reasonable to assume that Mrs. March’s ultimate goal is for her daughters to embody the virtues of “piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity”: Barbara Welter’s description of the idealized American middle-class woman. This concept of the Cult of Domesticity encourages the growth of girls into noble women who will maintain their family’s honor when out in the world. In this sense, it is likely that Mrs. March did aim for her daughters to bring their virtues from their home into the world and transform it into a domestic home with the associated values.

Although Mrs. March’s hopes for her daughters may align with the women reformers at this time, there is no indication that she believes in the female superiority that Smith-Rosenberg’s description contains. As the March family is comprised of daughters and Alcott intended this book to reflect the virtues of young women as well as her own experiences growing up with three sisters, the male characters play secondary roles; however, they are still present and respected as equals (if not superior) in relation to the women characters.

Laurie and Mr. Laurence are both admired by the Marches, not for their money, but for their generosity, earnestness (which perhaps Laurie has not quite achieved), and their invaluable companionship. If the March women were attempting to attain any far-reaching goal (such as societal reformation), it is doubtful that they would not turn to their beloved neighbors (as well as Mr. March, assuming he is home and well).

However, even if the female superiority aspect is omitted, this theme of reform is not contained in Little Women. It is true that Jo is quite rebellious at times (especially at the beginning of the book); however, as she grows older and matures, she learns (from Mrs. March’s teachings) that she must get rid of her slang language and independent character if she wants to fulfill her duty as a woman in society.

Little Women is a book of tradition and teaches young women how (and how not) to uphold that tradition. Although Ms. Alcott may have held some reform-related attitudes of her own, she does not express them in Little Women through the March women.