Gender theory in 19th century American literature?

Hello!

I'm currently working on my bachelor thesis, and I need some urgent recommendations for academic sources. My thesis explores Jo March from Little Women and how she embodies the tension between individual identity and societal pressures, particularly through her rejection of traditional gender roles. I had initially planned to use Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity to argue that Jo’s eventual marriage to Friedrich Bhaer symbolizes a dissonance between her independent nature and the societal expectations she must navigate, raising questions about gender roles and autonomy.

However, after speaking with my professor, they suggested that Butler's approach might be too abstract for this context. They advised me to focus more on the historical and cultural background of the 19th century, specifically how gender was understood in a more binary way at that time.

Does anyone know of any journals, articles, or scholars who discuss gender in 19th-century literature, especially with a more binary perspective on gender roles? I’m looking for sources that explore these themes in relation to societal expectations and identity formation in literature.

Thanks in advance!