pay attention to the roles women fulfill in this time period. Marmee makes this statement in chapter 9:

"My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world-marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is waiting....[B]etter be happy old maids than unhappy wives, or unmaidenly girls, running about to have husbands... leave these things to time; make this home happy, so that you may be fit for homes of your oun, if they are offered you, and contented here if they are not."

what does she mean? use each sister as an example of a female role in the 19th century american society.