Chapter 10 · Little Women

Copywork

Up rose Snodgrass, very much in earnest. “Sir, I give you my word as a gentleman, Laurie won’t do anything of the sort. He likes to write, and he’ll give a tone to our contributions, and keep us from being sentimental, don’t you see? We can do so little for him, and he does so much for us, I think the least we can do is to offer him a place here, and make him welcome if he comes.”

Read your copy aloud in Jo's parliamentary voice. She gives the club three things: a promise, a claim about Laurie's writing, and a reason about gratitude. Which one do you think turned the vote, and why?

Discussion

Narration Retell the Saturday meeting in order: the Portfolio, Jo's proposal, the two votes, the closet, and Laurie's post-office.

The club ties on badges “with great solemnity,” yet its paper mourns a missing cat in verse. What is the mood in the garret? Tone
Meg worries that Laurie will laugh at their paper and make fun of them afterward. What does she seem to be protecting? Inference
Beth first says a timid “Ay,” then “we ought to do it, even if we are afraid.” What moves her? Character
When Laurie says Jo “is not to be blamed,” Jo answers, “you know I proposed the cupboard.” Why might each of them want the blame? Moral reasoning
Why might Alcott end the chapter on the post-office and the love-letters to come, instead of on Laurie's welcome at the club? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a club or a group of friends you wanted to keep private, and what happened when someone new joined.

Vocabulary

sentimental: and keep us from being sentimental, don’t you see? Too full of soft, gushing feeling.
contributions: he’ll give a tone to our contributions, Pieces given to a shared work.
proposition: and then Mr. Snodgrass rose to make a proposition. A plan offered for others to accept.
admission: I wish to propose the admission of a new member⁠— Being allowed to join a group.
allusion: This artful allusion to benefits conferred brought Tupman to his feet, An indirect mention that points at something.
stratagem: is not to be blamed for the base stratagem of tonight. A clever trick or scheme.
suppressed: flushed and twinkling with suppressed laughter. Held back; kept from showing.
devoted: a more devoted, well-behaved, and jovial member Loyal and full of care.
flourished: The P.O. was a capital little institution, and flourished wonderfully, Grew and thrived.
electrified: This spirited burst from Beth electrified the club, Thrilled and roused suddenly.

Critical thinking

The opening tells us each sister's garden reflects her character. Choose Jo or Beth. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how her garden fits her.
Laurie steps out of the closet to three angry girls. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he wins them over.
Winkle's note apologizes for laughing and for a missing piece. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the club handles a member's faults.