Stereotypes and gender roles had a strong hold on society in the late 1800's, and because many women silently desired independence above all else, their wish for equality was a common theme in literature of that era. ... The fact that Louisa willingly released the hand Joe Dagget, who was undeniably husband material and considered a "catch" for any single woman, reinforces the point that she was rebelling against the norms and expectations of society. ... "(661) What is interesting is that Freeman describes death as something great which happened to Louisa. She is advocating for wome...

• Word Count: 2223
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate