Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Single Mothers, Gender Roles, and the American Dream in the 1970s

By Tim Madsen

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Single Mothers, Gender Roles, and the American Dream in the 1970s is a compelling critical exploration of Martin Scorsese's quietly radical 1974 film-a story about a widowed mother, a restless journey across the American Southwest, and a woman's fight to reclaim her life.

Through ten thematic chapters, this book examines the cultural, economic, and cinematic significance of Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore in the context of second-wave feminism and New Hollywood cinema. It delves into the realities of working-class motherhood, the complexities of female independence, and the shifting ideals of the American Dream. With insight into Scorsese's direction, Ellen Burstyn's landmark performance, and the socio-political backdrop of the 1970s, the book offers a rich, interdisciplinary analysis of a film that remains both relevant and deeply human.

Blending film criticism, feminist theory, historical context, and cultural commentary, this is more than a study of a single movie-it is a tribute to the resilience of women navigating systems not built for them, and a reflection on the stories we tell about family, freedom, and survival.

Essential reading for film scholars, feminists, cultural historians, and anyone who has ever questioned what it means to start over.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FKZ9N9PK
• ISBN13: 9798296202994
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 38 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"