Chapter 15 · Little Women

Copywork

“I’m not sorry,” protested Jo, with a choke. “I’d do it again tomorrow, if I could. It’s only the vain, selfish part of me that goes and cries in this silly way. Don’t tell anyone, it’s all over now.

Read your copy aloud in a whisper, the way Jo says it in the dark. Which sentence is about tomorrow and which is about tonight? Can a person mean both at once, and how does Jo explain it to herself?

Discussion

Narration Retell the day in order: the gloomy afternoon, the telegram, everyone's errands, Jo's return, and the night.

When the telegram comes, Hannah says she won't waste time crying and starts to work. What does her way of helping show about her? Character
Mr. Laurence offers everything from his dressing-gown to himself as escort, and Mr. Brooke offers to go with Mrs. March. How does each offer differ? Inference
Jo says she sold her hair because she was “wild to do something for father.” What do you think was really driving her? Moral reasoning
Marmee says Jo's sacrifice was “not necessary” and that she may regret it, though she knows it came from love. Why might she say that? Theme
The chapter ends with Jo crying in the dark, then Meg dreaming of her castle, then Marmee and the moon. Why might Alcott end it that way? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you gave something up for someone you love, and how you felt afterward.

Vocabulary

protested: “I’m not sorry,” protested Jo, with a choke. Insisted firmly against what someone else thinks.
vain: It’s only the vain, selfish part of me that goes and cries in this silly way. Too proud of one's looks.
despondent: Jo groaned, and leaned both elbows on the table in a despondent attitude, Low in spirits; without hope.
panacea: work was the panacea for most afflictions. A cure for every trouble.
perturbed: which sounded very pleasantly to her perturbed spirit. Troubled; unsettled.
rash: Jo, I hope you haven’t done anything rash?” Done in a hurry without thinking.
stoutly: returned Jo stoutly, feeling much relieved that her prank was not entirely condemned. Firmly and bravely.
condemned: her prank was not entirely condemned. Judged wrong; blamed.
afflicted: kissed and caressed the afflicted heroine in the tenderest manner. Suffering; in pain or grief.
fervent: and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter. Full of deep, earnest feeling.

Critical thinking

Laurie rides off on his horse after Mrs. March tells him not to ride at a desperate pace. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Laurie wants.
Mrs. March puts Aunt March's note in the fire and the money in her purse. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what she is doing.
The barber did not want Jo's hair until his wife spoke. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what changed his mind.