Chapter 20

Little Women

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

“I’m afraid Laurie is hardly grown up enough for Meg, and altogether too much of a weathercock, just now, for anyone to depend on. Don’t make plans, Jo; but let time and their own hearts mate your friends. We can’t meddle safely in such matters, and had better not get ‘romantic rubbish,’ as you call it, into our heads, lest it spoil our friendship.”

Read your copy aloud in Marmee's voice. Find the one command in it. What does she tell Jo to do instead of planning, and what does she say planning could spoil?

Discussion

Narration Retell the day in order: the mother's arrival, Amy and the ring, and Jo's confidence about Meg.

1. Amy wants to wear Aunt March's ring to remind her not to be selfish, and Marmee stops laughing to listen. What makes Amy's plan worth listening to?Character

2. Marmee tells Amy she has more faith in the corner of the big closet than in the ring, then says, “Wear your ring, dear.” Why might she say yes?Moral reasoning

3. Jo says, “Let’s send him about his business.” What does she seem most afraid of losing?Inference

4. Marmee says John is honorable and she could not refuse to listen to him, yet she will not let Meg engage herself so young. What do you make of how she weighs those?Theme

5. The chapter ends with Marmee's words after Meg has gone: “She does not love John yet, but will soon learn to.” Why might Alcott end on those words?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone trusted you to make your own plan, even though they would have done it differently.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1		2			3	4
							5
6				7
			8

	9

Across

Across 1. Someone who changes with every wind.
Across 6. Scorn; the feeling that something is beneath notice.
Across 7. Hopelessly unhappy.
Across 9. Kindliness; gentle good will.

Down

Down 2. Full of rest and calm.
Down 3. Hardships from going without.
Down 4. To trust someone with a secret.
Down 5. To interfere in what is not one's own affair.
Down 6. Careful to do what is right.
Down 8. Fair and upright in conduct.

The words in the chapter

weathercock altogether too much of a weathercock, just now, for anyone to depend on.
meddle We can’t meddle safely in such matters,
reposeful so quiet and reposeful within, for everyone slept,
benignity sat doing nothing in an unusual fit of benignity.
contempt with a funny mixture of interest and contempt.

honorable He was perfectly open and honorable about Meg,
conscientious She is conscientious, and I have no fear of her treating him unkindly.
privations and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures.
disconsolate Jo leaned her chin on her knees, in a disconsolate attitude,
confide This odd arrangement made Mrs. March smile; but she said gravely, “Jo, I confide in you, and don’t wish you to say anything to Meg yet.

Critical thinking

1. When Laurie tells Aunt March about Beth, Amy behaves “like a capital little woman.” Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Amy shows she has changed.

2. Jo asks whether Marmee would rather Meg marry a rich man. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Marmee wants for her daughters.

3. Jo says Meg does not show love the way girls in novels do. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Jo has noticed about Meg.