We don’t keep silence to shield him,To protect from harm or blame.
Little Women
Chapter 21
Louisa May Alcott · Trailblazers 4th–6th
Copywork
“Indeed, sir, I cannot tell; mother forbade it. Laurie has confessed, asked pardon, and been punished quite enough. We don’t keep silence to shield him, but someone else, and it will make more trouble if you interfere. Please don’t; it was partly my fault, but it’s all right now; so let’s forget it, and talk about the Rambler , or something pleasant.”
Read your copy aloud as Jo, perched on the library steps with the old man at the foot of them. What does she tell him, and what does she keep back? Find the sentence where she takes some of the blame herself, and say why she does that.
Discussion
Narration Retell the days in order: Laurie guessing the secret, the two notes, Mrs. March and Laurie, the shaking, Jo at both doors, and the apology.
- Meg answers a love-note, then learns it was a trick. Why does that hurt her so much? Inference
- Laurie lets his grandfather shake him rather than explain why Mrs. March sent for him. What does that say about him? Character
- Jo nearly agrees to run off to Washington with Laurie, then looks at the old house and says no. What holds her back? Theme
- Jo tells Mr. Laurence, “We don’t keep silence to shield him, but someone else.” How much of the truth is she giving him? Moral reasoning
- The chapter ends with Jo finding “Mrs. John Brooke” scribbled in Meg's desk. Why might Alcott end there, not on Laurie's dinner? Author's choice
Make a Connection Tell about a time you were left out of a secret, and what you did about it.
Vocabulary
- shield
- interfere
it will make more trouble if you interfere.
To step into a matter that is not one's own.- incorrigible
for he was an incorrigible tease,
Impossible to correct or reform.- retaliation
devise some proper retaliation
Paying back an injury with an injury.- penitent
with such a penitent face
Sorry for having done wrong.- malicious
so sly and malicious, Laurie,”
Meaning to hurt.- disapprobation
an expression of entire disapprobation.
Strong disapproval.- propitiate
hoping to propitiate him by accepting
To win over someone who is angry.- irascible
she knew the irascible old gentleman
Quick to anger.- decorous
to be submissive, decorous,
Proper and well-behaved.
Critical thinking
- Mrs. March takes charge of the trouble over the note. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how she handles Meg and Laurie.
- Jo suggests that Mr. Laurence write Laurie an apology. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why she thinks that will work.
- Jo looks closely at the two notes and decides Laurie wrote them both. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how she can tell.