Chapter 2 · Little Women

Copywork

That was a very happy breakfast, though they didn’t get any of it; and when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.

Read your copy aloud. The sentence calls the girls hungry and merry in the same breath. Which words tell you what they gave up, and which tell you what they got?

Discussion

Narration Retell Christmas day in order: the books under the pillows, the breakfast, the Hummels' room, the play, and the supper.

When Marmee asks for their breakfast, the girls are very hungry and for a minute no one speaks. What might be going on in that minute? Inference
Marmee asks whether the girls will give their breakfast away, rather than telling them to. Why might she choose to ask? Moral reasoning
Amy spends all her money on a bigger bottle of cologne and says she is trying not to be selfish, then says she is glad hers is the handsomest. How do you read Amy? Character
The narrator says there were “not in all the city four merrier people” than the hungry girls who gave away their breakfasts. Does that ring true, given what we see in the room? Tone
After the Hummels' room, Alcott gives pages to the girls' homemade play. Why might she let the play take up so much of this chapter? Author's choice

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

Vocabulary

contented: gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk Satisfied with what one has.
merrier: I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls More cheerful and full of joy.
abashed: looked rather abashed when she saw her sisters all waiting for her. Embarrassed and a little ashamed.
humble: looked so earnest and humble in her little effort to forget herself Modest; not proud or showy.
impetuously: only a minute, for Jo exclaimed impetuously⁠— Suddenly and eagerly, without stopping to think.
heroically: added Amy, heroically giving up the articles she most liked. Bravely, like a hero making a sacrifice.
procession: They were soon ready, and the procession set out. A group moving forward together in order.
wistful: He looked so wistful as he went away, Longing for something, with quiet sadness.
bashful: but he’s bashful, and Meg is so prim she won’t let me speak to him when we pass, Shy and easily embarrassed.
invention: necessity being the mother of invention Making something new when nothing ready exists.

Critical thinking

Marmee says Beth's roses are sweeter to her than the hothouse flowers. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what might make them sweeter.
Meg reads her new book first, and her sisters follow. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Meg leads them.
In the Hummels' room, who does the most to help? Using two pieces of evidence, choose one person or group, and explain your choice.