Chapter 23

Little Women

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

The best of us have a spice of perversity in us, especially when we are young and in love. If Aunt March had begged Meg to accept John Brooke, she would probably have declared she couldn’t think of it; but as she was peremptorily ordered not to like him, she immediately made up her mind that she would.

Read your copy aloud. Why might Aunt March's order make Meg want the opposite?

Discussion

Narration Retell the afternoon in order: the wait at home, Meg's planned speech, Mr. Brooke's visit, Aunt March's arrival, Jo at the parlor door, and the evening.

1. Meg tells Jo exactly what she will say to Mr. Brooke and how she will walk out with dignity. What does her plan tell us about her?Character

2. When Mr. Brooke asks if she cares, Meg forgets her speech and says, “I don’t know.” What do you think she means?Inference

3. John smiles as if he has no doubt of success, and Meg snaps, “I don’t choose.” The narrator says the love of power woke up in her. Does that sound right to you?Moral reasoning

4. Aunt March forbids Meg to like John, and Meg at once decides that she will. What do you make of that?Theme

5. In the middle of defending John, Meg stops short, remembering she had sent him away. What do you think has just happened to her?Inference

6. Why might Alcott step out of the story at the end and say that the curtain falls on the four sisters?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time someone told you not to do something and you found you wanted to.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1	2	3
						4

			5		6

				7





		8

9

Across

Across 1. In a commanding way that allows no refusal.
Across 7. Firmly determined.
Across 8. Playful flirting to test one's power.
Across 9. Utterly humble; without any pride.

Down

Down 1. A stubborn wish to do the opposite of what is asked.
Down 2. A daydream.
Down 3. Exaggerated and theatrical.
Down 4. Offended anger.
Down 5. Sudden and changeable.
Down 6. With quiet longing.

The words in the chapter

peremptorily as she was peremptorily ordered not to like him,
perversity The best of us have a spice of perversity in us,
melodramatic seemed suddenly possessed with a melodramatic fit,
reverie rudely shortening her sister’s little reverie.
coquetry Annie Moffat’s foolish lessons in coquetry came into her mind,

capricious followed a capricious impulse,
wistfully he just stood looking at her so wistfully, so tenderly,
resolute nodding her head with a resolute air.
dudgeon Aunt March drove off in high dudgeon.
abject wearing an expression of the most abject submission.

Critical thinking

1. Jo hears Meg's plan and does not believe she will carry it out. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Jo thinks Meg will do, and why.

2. Aunt March lays out her case against John. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Meg answers it.

3. Jo and Laurie talk in the corner after the engagement. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what Jo is afraid of and what Laurie offers.