September 8, 2011

The life behind Little Women author to be explored

Events at Marquette and Milwaukee Public Library highlight Louisa May Alcott

MILWAUKEE — Marquette University Libraries, in collaboration with the Milwaukee Public Library, will offer a five-event series, “Louisa May Alcott: The woman behind Little Women,” Sept. 19 to Nov. 29. All events are free and open to all members of the Marquette and Milwaukee communities.

Two Marquette Department of English associate professors, Drs. Angela Sorby and Sarah Wadsworth, will present lectures, lead book discussions, and screen films during the fall series. The programs will explore Alcott’s lesser-known thriller books, her experience as a Civil War nurse and other events that influenced her writing.

“Louisa May Alcott: Through her eyes”
Sept. 19, 4:30 p.m., Marquette University’s Raynor Memorial Libraries
The series will launch with brief dramatic readings from several lesser-known Alcott works, followed by a reception, refreshments and a drawing for Alcott books.

“Louisa May Alcott wrote that? Alcott and the Civil War”
Oct. 6, 4:30 p.m., Marquette University’s Raynor Memorial Libraries
Sorby will share Alcott’s role in the Civil War and discuss Hospital Sketches and short fiction with abolitionist themes.

“Louisa May Alcott: The woman behind Little Women”
Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m., Milwaukee Public Library, Krug Rare Book room
Screen the first half of the 2008 American Masters documentary film, plus selected scenes from the 1994 film Little Women. Sorby and Wadsworth will moderate a discussion after the screening.

“Louisa May Alcott: Literary phenomenon and social reformer”
Nov. 10, 4:30 p.m., Marquette University’s Raynor Memorial Libraries 
Wadsworth will present a lecture about Alcott’s complex and varied role in the literary marketplace as a self-trained and successful professional writer.

“Louisa May Alcott: The woman behind Little Women”
Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m., Milwaukee Public Library, Betty Brinn Children’s Room
The series will wrap up with the second half of the American Masters documentary, followed by a discussion led by Sorby and Wadsworth. Cake will be served in recognition of Alcott’s 1832 birthday.

Supporting exhibits at the libraries will also be on display. MPL’s exhibit will feature historical printed matter highlighting Alcott’s personal relationships with Concord Transcendentalists; 19th-century popular fiction; local connections to reforms Alcott supported, such as abolition, education and women’s health; and Wisconsin’s role in the Civil War. The Raynor lobby will feature books by and about Alcott and showcase relevant aspects of 19th-century American print culture, such as St. Nicholas magazine, and contemporary interpretations of Alcott’s works.

The Alcott series was organized by the American Library Association in association with Nancy Porter and Harriet Reisen for Filmmakers Collaborative, with financial support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Marquette and MPL were one of 30 libraries nationwide selected by ALA around the country to present this program.

For events held at Raynor Memorial Libraries, guests without Marquette IDs are advised to arrive in time to register at a table in the lobby. The Wells Street Parking Structure, 1240 W. Wells St., and 16th Street Parking Structure, 749 N. 16th St., are open to visitors for a fee. For additional details or questions, contact Outreach Librarian Susan Hopwood at (414) 288-5995 or susan.hopwood@marquette.edu.