Chapter 13 · Little Women

Copywork

He wants me to be an India merchant, as he was, and I’d rather be shot. I hate tea and silk and spices, and every sort of rubbish his old ships bring, and I don’t care how soon they go to the bottom when I own them. Going to college ought to satisfy him, for if I give him four years he ought to let me off from the business; but he’s set, and I’ve got to do just as he did, unless I break away and please myself, as my father did.

Read your copy aloud as Laurie. Why does he bring up what his father did after talking about college?

Discussion

Narration Retell the afternoon in order: Laurie in his hammock, the Busy Bee Society in the pines, the castles in the air, the talk about his grandfather, and the evening at the piano.

Laurie follows the girls up the hill, hides in the bushes, and looks in on them. What is he hoping for? Inference
Meg says “it's against the rules to be idle here,” and Laurie agrees to sew, read, or draw. Why does he go along so meekly? Character
Every sister but Beth tells a castle in the air that ends in fame or riches, and Beth wants to stay home safe. What do you make of the difference? Theme
Jo tells Laurie to sail away and try his own way, while Meg tells him to do his duty. Which of them is giving the better advice? Moral reasoning
The chapter ends with Laurie listening to Beth play for Mr. Laurence, half hidden by a curtain. Why might Alcott end it there? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you put aside something you wanted because someone needed you.

Vocabulary

merchant: He wants me to be an India merchant, as he was, and I’d rather be shot. A person who buys and sells goods in trade.
set: but he’s set, and I’ve got to do just as he did, Firmly decided; not to be moved.
luxuriously: Laurie lay luxuriously swinging to and fro in his hammock, In a way full of ease and comfort.
unprofitable: the day had been both unprofitable and unsatisfactory, Bringing no gain or good result.
submissive: with a submissive expression delightful to behold. Willing to obey; yielding.
dawdle: we are ever so glad that we didn’t dawdle.” To waste time; to move slowly on purpose.
motive: “You need a motive, mother says; A reason strong enough to make someone act.
indolent: in spite of his indolent ways, Lazy; avoiding effort.
subjection: had a young man’s hatred of subjection, Being under someone else's control.
pique: Ashamed of his momentary pique, Laurie squeezed the kind little hand, A flash of wounded pride or irritation.

Critical thinking

Beth says she wants to fly away at once to the beautiful country in the clouds. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jo and Meg answer her.
Meg tells Laurie how she can read Mr. Brooke's face when he leaves. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what that shows about Meg and about Brooke.
The sisters say they did not waste the holiday. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Laurie's day compares with theirs.