The theme of femininity as well as gender stereotypes were an integral part of the various literary works composed over the years. In this regard, Louisa May Alcott's "Eight Cousins" and Lucy Maud Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" are important because both touch on themes of femininity and gender stereotypes. “Eight Cousins” (1875) by Louisa May Alcott tells the story of Rose Campbell, a sick and lonely girl, sent to live with her aunts and uncles after the death of her parents, while highlighting how she copes with life and finds happiness (Garcia). On the other hand, “Anne of Green Gables” (1908) by Lucy Maud Montgomery recounts the adventures of an eleven-year-old orphan named Anne Shirley, sent by mistake to a family who asked her for a boy. Gender stereotypes are the most prominent theme dominating both literary works discussed here and the protagonists of both novels, namely Rose Campbell and Anne Shirley, demonstrate a high level of femininity. This compare and contrast essay intends to analyze “Eight Cousins” by Louisa May Alcott and “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery in the particular context of themes of femininity and gender stereotypes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay Femininity is an integral part of the characters of Rose Campbell and Anne Shirley and rather than just being a character trait, the particular concept was deeply rooted in the plot of both literary works discussed here by their respective authors. For example, we see that Rose Campbell, the protagonist of "Eight Cousins" by Louisa May Alcott, is very feminine in nature and displays the main character traits that girls her age normally display. Indeed, we see that although she is forced to live in a family that is not her own and with seven boys who are in fact her cousins, we see that she tries to keep the major female characters who are particular to the girls. She justifies her behavior with the words “We must do good; there is no need to be happy” (Alcott). In the particular context of “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery, we also see that the character trait of femininity dominates the personality of its protagonist, namely Anne Shirley. For example, we see that upon learning that she had been mistakenly sent to the family of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert who, rather than a girl wanted a boy, she accepts her current situation with feminine grace and dignity (Blewett). More importantly, rather than protesting the situation and thus seeking a remedy, we see that she is doing her best to fit into the family she was sent to by becoming a part of it. This aspect of her character is evident in the line "It's so much easier to look good if your clothes are fashionable" in which she explains her decision to stay at Matthew's and also her desire to have fashionable clothes. (Maud). On top of this, we see that, much like Rose Campbell from Louisa May Alcott's "Eight Cousins", she also spends a significant amount of formative years with the boys in the house she was sent to, but she tries to retain the dignity or grace of her character or for that matter her femininity. Thus, it can be said that in terms of presenting the theme of femininity and also the manner in which the protagonists exhibit it, the two literary works discussed here are largely similar in nature. Rose Campbell and Anne Shirley, the protagonists of the literary works in questionhere form friendships with other female characters in an attempt to maintain the feminine nature or aspect of their character. In the particular context of Louisa May Alcott's "Eight Cousins", we see that Rose Campbell becomes friends with Phebe, the young housekeeper at her aunt's house. It is pertinent to note that this friendship she shares with Phebe not only brings her much-needed happiness or joy in her otherwise mundane life, but at the same time teaches her many important values ​​of life. For example, from Phebe, she is able to learn how one can be happy or joyful in life even when situations or circumstances are unfavorable in nature (Williamson). In fact, we see that from the relationship she shares with Phebe, she can learn that “a happy soul in a healthy body makes the best kind of beauty for man or woman” (Alcott). On the other hand, we see that in “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery, as well as the protagonist of the novel Anne Shirley, resorts to friends or friendship as a means of bringing happiness or joy which she needs so much in her life and also to maintain the feminine aspect of her personality. For example, we see that, just like Rose Campbell, she also establishes different types of friendships or friendly relationships with the girls she meets in the educational institution where she studies or elsewhere. Particularly noteworthy is the friendship she shares with Diana Barry, the young girl who lives in the house next door. Furthermore, Anne describes her as a “close friend” and the time she shares with her makes her forget the worldly life she had to live in Matthieu's house. Commenting on the friendship she shares with Danny, she says that "true friends are always together in spirit" (Maud). However, at the same time, it must be said that in addition to the friendship she shares with Danny, she shares a rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, who does his best to make Anne's life miserable. This rivalry that she shares with Blythe is very particular to the female genre where we see that girls usually fight or tease each other over trivial things like the color of their skin, the length or quality of their hair and others. In light of these aspects, it can be said that the construction of female friendship is an important entity that has been used by the authors of the literary works discussed here to elucidate the theme of femininity. An important theme in Louisa May Alcott's work: Lucy Maud Montgomery's "Eight Cousins" and "Anne of Green Gables" are gender stereotypes. For example, in “Eight Cousins” by Louisa May Alcott, we see that Rose Campbell must behave and live in the same way that her seven cousins ​​live. More importantly, although she lives with her aunts, we see that she is placed under a guardian because it was considered inappropriate for girls to live without a male guardian or protector. Furthermore, the process of gender stereotyping also emerges from the unorthodox teaching strategies specially designed for girls, which are followed in the novel for the purpose of their upbringing and upbringing. On the other hand, in the novel "Anne of Green Gables", we see that Matthew's family wants to adopt a boy because they are likely to favor his family's prospects over that of the girl and this is one of the main reasons. why Anne in the first sections of the novel does not feel welcome at home (Shields). Thus, it can be said that the theme of gender stereotypes is another important common aspect between the two novels or literary works discussed here. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now.14/3 (2017): 113-129.