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Online Course: Reading Childhood – Little Women

What do you think of when you imagine Victorian children? Demure little things who are seen and not heard? This is certainly not true of the child characters of the great Victorian novelists. In Jane Eyre and David Copperfield, Charlotte Bronte and Charles Dickens show us how trauma can influence character development as well as spelling out the responsibilities adults have towards children. George Eliot and our own Elizabeth Gaskell give us rounded, observant and intelligent young girls in Maggie Tulliver (The Mill of the Floss) and Molly Gibson (Wives and Daughters). We will look at one of these characters each month and conclude our study by reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, where the readership is designed to be children themselves. Are there any differences?

Childhood is a very accessible subject (we were all children once) and it leads directly into some very big themes such as religion, social justice and human vulnerability. Come and join us!

This last session will focus on Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

The course is suitable for the general reader who wants to delve deeper into 19th century writing. You are welcome to read the full novel or key extracts will be sent a fortnight in advance so you can prepare yourself to take part in the discussion. Sessions will take place on zoom and numbers are limited to allow an inclusive discussion with the chance for all to take part.

Every second Wed of the month January – May 2024, 7-9pm

Wednesday 8 May – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

£12 per session

“Learned so much about 19th century novels I was not familiar with. Sherry is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and engages with all the participants. Very inclusive.” Visitor to online events

**Refer to your e-ticket for joining instructions and links. Please check your spam/junk mail for ticket.**

If you have any questions about this event, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is run by Manchester Historic Buildings Trust (charity no. 1080606) and all money gained through private tours, talks, room hire and ticket sales goes towards the ongoing maintenance and running costs of the house. If you would like to support the House with an additional donation you can do so via this link.