Chapter 29 · Little Women

Copywork

“Women should learn to be agreeable, particularly poor ones; for they have no other way of repaying the kindnesses they receive. If you’d remember that, and practise it, you’d be better liked than I am, because there is more of you.” “I’m a crotchety old thing, and always shall be, but I’m willing to own that you are right; only it’s easier for me to risk my life for a person than to be pleasant to him when I don’t feel like it.

Read your copy aloud, Amy's two sentences and then Jo's one. Amy gives one reason poor women must be agreeable. What is it? Jo agrees that Amy is right and then says only. What comes after the only, and does it take back the agreement?

Discussion

Narration Tell back the calls Amy and Jo make, who they visit, and what happens at each one.

Jo does just what Amy asks at the Chesters': "calm, cool, and quiet." Who is to blame for how the visit turns out, Jo or Amy? Character
At the Lambs', Jo tells stories about Amy's saddle, painted hat and painted boots. Is that honest, unkind, or both? Moral reasoning
Amy says Jo should reverse her nod to Mr. Tudor and her bow to Tommy Chamberlain. Jo refuses. Whose reasons are stronger? Theme
Amy says "Patronage does not trouble me when it is well meant." Jo hates being patronized. Why might the same thing sit so differently with two sisters? Inference
The chapter sends Jo through call after call instead of one long visit. What does that let the author show? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you had to be polite to someone you did not much like.

Vocabulary

agreeable: “Women should learn to be agreeable, particularly poor ones; for they have no other way of repaying the kindnesses they receive. Pleasant to be with.
crotchety: “I’m a crotchety old thing, and always shall be, but I’m willing to own that you are right; only it’s easier for me to risk my life for a person than to be pleasant to him when I don’t feel like it. Full of odd, stubborn notions.
deportment: “Now, Jo dear, the Chesters consider themselves very elegant people, so I want you to put on your best deportment. Manner of carrying and conducting oneself.
effusion: Amy’s face was a study when she saw her sister skim into the next drawing-room, kiss all the young ladies with effusion, beam graciously upon the young gentlemen, A gushing show of feeling.
volubly: So situated, she was powerless to check Jo, who seemed possessed by a spirit of mischief, and talked away as volubly as the old lady. In a fast, easy flow of talk.
alacrity: and when one lad proposed a visit to his turtle-tank, she went with an alacrity which caused mamma to smile upon her, Cheerful readiness.
mollified: Amy smiled, and was mollified at once, saying with a maternal air⁠— Soothed; softened.
morose: some do not, and that is trying,” observed Aunt March, looking over her spectacles at Jo, who sat apart, rocking herself, with a somewhat morose expression. Sullen and gloomy.
brusque: “Don’t know a word; I’m very stupid about studying anything; can’t bear French, it’s such a slippery, silly sort of language,” was the brusque reply. Blunt and short in manner.

Critical thinking

Jo does not want to make calls. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what finally gets her to go.
At the third house Jo sits on the grass with the boys. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why this call goes better than the first two.
Jo says she waits for "a chance to confer a great favor, and let the small ones slip." Using two pieces of evidence, explain whether that describes her in this chapter.