Chapter 14 · Little Women

Copywork

Don’t try to make me grow up before my time, Meg: it’s hard enough to have you change all of a sudden; let me be a little girl as long as I can.” As she spoke, Jo bent over the leaves to hide the trembling of her lips; for lately she had felt that Margaret was fast getting to be a woman, and Laurie’s secret made her dread the separation which must surely come some time, and now seemed very near.

Read your copy aloud, Jo's words and then the narrator's. Why does Jo bend over the leaves after speaking to Meg?

Discussion

Narration Retell the chapter in order: Jo's secret trip to town, the walk with Laurie, the race down the hill, Meg on the road, and the evening with The Rival Painters.

Jo climbs out of a window, circles the stairs three times, and looks as if she's having her teeth out. What is she so afraid of? Inference
Jo lectures Laurie about billiards and bad company, then Laurie asks, “Are you going to deliver lectures all the way home?” Was she right to speak? Moral reasoning
Jo hears Laurie's secret and says, “No, it’s horrid,” and that she wishes he hadn’t told her. Why does it upset her so? Character
Jo ends the chapter in happy tears over her printed story, saying it may help her support herself and help the girls. What does that hope tell us about what she wants? Theme
The chapter never tells us what Laurie whispers to Jo. Why might Alcott keep it from us? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you kept something secret, and why.

Vocabulary

dread: Laurie’s secret made her dread the separation which must surely come some time, To fear something that is coming.
separation: dread the separation which must surely come some time, Being parted from someone.
mysterious: looking very merry and mysterious. Hard to explain; full of secrets.
extinguish: trying to extinguish the brilliant hopes that blazed up at a word of encouragement. To put out, as a flame; to quench.
wheedler: I don’t know how you do it, but you are a born wheedler.” Someone who coaxes people into giving what is wanted.
nettled: asked Laurie, looking nettled. Irritated; stung.
confidant: whispered Jo, in her confidant’s ear. A trusted person told one's secrets.
bewildered: For a week or two, Jo behaved so queerly that her sisters were quite bewildered. Thoroughly puzzled.
solemnity: with a funny mixture of solemnity and excitement, Deep seriousness.
jubilee: “Won’t Laurie laugh?” cried the family, all in one breath, as they clustered about Jo; for these foolish, affectionate people made a jubilee of every little household joy. A joyful celebration.

Critical thinking

Laurie sees Jo come down from the dentist's stairs and waits for her. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Laurie's behavior shows about him as a friend.
Meg and Beth watch Jo and Laurie race through the garden. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how the two sisters see Jo differently.
Jo reads The Rival Painters aloud without saying who wrote it. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how each sister reacts when she finds out.