Little Women
Chapter 29 — Teaching Companion
Louisa May Alcott · Trailblazers 4th–6th
Coaching, not a script — and not an answer key: every question here has more than one defensible answer.
This chapter's big question
Amy holds that a poor woman must learn to be agreeable, and Jo holds that manners should show what she really thinks, so which sister understands better what manners are for, and what does Jo's blunt speech at Aunt March's, whose cost she cannot see, add to the argument?
The tension The chapter runs Jo through six calls as a test of Amy's rules and makes both sisters partly right. Jo's obedience to the letter of "calm, cool, and quiet" produces a haughty stock and stone; her imitation of a charming girl exposes Amy's painted boots; her unplanned warmth with the boys and the turtles is the only visit that goes well. She bows to the grocer's son and nods coldly at the well-connected Tudor, which is manners as honest judgement. Amy answers that hiding likes and dislikes is a greater skill than having them, and that for poor women agreeableness is the only way to repay kindness. Then the narrator shows Jo losing years of pleasure by one speech against favors, and calls the lesson timely without saying Amy was right.
Today's focus
Watch how each sister's way of behaving works out call by call, and listen for what each is trying to protect.
Two core ideas
- Amy follows rules so that people will like her; Jo behaves as she feels. Each way works in some rooms and fails in others.
- Each sister gets something right: Jo's warmth with the boys and her honest greeting to Tommy, Amy's tact and kindness with the aunts.
The shape at a glance
Amy holds Jo to a bargain to make calls. At the Chesters' Jo is silent, at the Lambs' she talks too freely, and at the third house she is happily herself. On the way to Aunt March's the sisters argue about manners, and at Aunt March's Jo says a blunt thing about favors while the aunts trade looks.
A way in
Start with Amy's rule, "calm, cool, and quiet." Ask what a person would do to follow it exactly.
Lesson plan
Retell The student tells the calls back in order: the bargain, the dressing, the Chesters, the Lambs, the boys, the walk, and Aunt March.
Imitate the author After copying the passage, the student writes two sentences in the same pattern: one sister's advice, then what the other admits about herself.
Debate Take sides: should manners show what you really think of people? Each side must use at least one quote from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking what each sister gives up to keep her own way.
Easier Read the Chesters' visit aloud together and talk through discussion questions 1 and 2 only.
On level Talk through all five discussion questions, then have the student write one critical-thinking answer with two pieces of evidence from the chapter.
Harder Ask the student to find one moment where Amy is blunt or Jo is tactful, and to add it to a critical-thinking answer.
Discussion
- 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
What it asks It asks who is responsible when a rule is followed exactly and the visit still goes wrong, and what a rule like "calm, cool, and quiet" leaves out.
One reading
The fault is Jo's: she knew what Amy meant and played with it.
naughty Jo took her at her word
Jo laughed noiselessly all through the hall
Another reading
The fault is Amy's: her rule was loose, and she blamed Jo for using it as written.
Just be calm, cool, and quiet
I merely meant you to be properly dignified and composed, and you made yourself a perfect stock and stone.
Listen for
- Separates what Amy said from what she meant.
- Uses what Jo does in the room, not only what Amy says afterward.
If stuck
- What three words does Amy ask for at the door?
- How does Jo answer the talk of picnics, the opera and the fashions?
- What does Amy say she meant?
A strong answer Jo does exactly what was asked: she sits calm as a summer sea and silent as a sphinx, and answers with a smile, a bow, and a demure yes or no. The narrator calls her naughty and says she laughed noiselessly all through the hall, so she knew what she was doing. But Amy's words were loose, and afterward she says she merely meant Jo to be dignified and composed. A strong answer can put most of the blame on one sister, and it says what a short rule cannot say.
- At the Lambs', Jo tells stories about Amy's saddle, painted hat and painted boots. Is that honest, unkind, or both?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks whether telling the truth about the family's shifts is honesty, carelessness, or unkindness to a sister, and what Jo thinks she is doing.
One reading
It is honest and warm: Jo is proud of Amy and sees no use in pretending.
They know we are poor, so it’s no use pretending that we have grooms, buy three or four hats a season
with an air of pride in her sister’s accomplishments
Another reading
It is unkind: she gives away things Amy wanted kept private and leaves her red and helpless.
You needn’t go and tell them all our little shifts, and expose our poverty in that perfectly unnecessary way.
wondering what his mother could be saying to make the girl look so red and uncomfortable
Listen for
- Weighs Jo's reason against Amy's reaction.
- Notices that the Lambs laugh and enjoy the stories.
If stuck
- What does Jo say about Amy's hat and boots?
- How do Miss Lamb and young Mr. Lamb answer?
- What does Amy say about it on the walk away?
A strong answer Jo means to be funny and proud of her sister: she says the painted boots looked exactly like satin, and the Lambs laugh and call the idea original. But the stories were not hers to tell, and Amy sits red and uncomfortable while she tells them. A strong answer can say honest and unkind are both true, or choose one, and it weighs Jo's reason against what it costs Amy.
- Amy says Jo should reverse her nod to Mr. Tudor and her bow to Tommy Chamberlain. Jo refuses. Whose reasons are stronger?Theme
What it asks It asks the student to weigh two ways of greeting people: civil to everyone, or showing what you think of each person.
One reading
Jo's: a greeting can show what you honestly think of a person, and Tommy has earned more than Tudor.
I neither like, respect, nor admire Tudor
Tommy is poor and bashful and good and very clever; I think well of him, and like to show that I do
Another reading
Amy's: everyone is owed a civil greeting, and you need not announce a dislike.
You might treat him civilly, at least.
I’m not called upon to tell him so; neither are you
Listen for
- Uses each sister's own reasons, not only who wins.
- Says what a nod or a bow can say without words.
If stuck
- What does Jo say she knows about Mr. Tudor?
- What does Jo say about Tommy?
- What does Amy say about telling Mr. Tudor she disapproves?
A strong answer Jo's reasons are about what a person is: Tudor puts on airs and snubs his sisters, while Tommy is poor, bashful and good, and she wants her greeting to say so. Amy's reason is about what a greeting is owed: civility to all, since she says no one is called upon to tell a young man she disapproves. Each reason is real. A strong answer uses a line from each sister and says which reason it finds stronger, and why.
- 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
What it asks It asks why help from the same people is easy for one sister to accept and hard for the other, and what each thinks she owes.
One reading
Amy is at ease because she has something to give, her time, and takes the offer as kind.
I offered to tend a table, as I have nothing but my time to give.
I think it very kind of them to let me share the labor and the fun
Another reading
Jo is on guard because she suspects the favor is for the giver's benefit.
I hate to be patronized, and the Chesters think it’s a great favor to allow us to help with their highly connected fair.
they only want you to work
Listen for
- Says what each sister assumes about the Chesters' meaning.
- Notices that Amy does not deny the patronage; she says it does not trouble her when it is well meant.
If stuck
- What does Amy say she has to give the fair?
- What does Jo think the Chesters want from Amy?
- What does Amy call the Chesters' offer in her own words?
A strong answer Amy has her time to give and counts the chance to share the labor and the fun as a kindness. Jo hears the Chesters thinking it a great favor and believes they only want Amy's work. The chapter gives us only Mrs. Chester's asking, so each reading rests on what the sister assumes. A strong answer names what each one assumes and gives a reason to lean toward one.
- The chapter sends Jo through call after call instead of one long visit. What does that let the author show?Author's choice
What it asks It asks why the author gives Jo a run of calls, each with its own people and its own advice from Amy, instead of one long scene.
One reading
The run shows many sides of Jo: silent, gushing, and easy among boys.
each and all were answered by a smile, a bow, and a demure “Yes” or “No,” with the chill on
kiss all the young ladies with effusion
An enthusiastic welcome from three big boys and several pretty children speedily soothed her ruffled feelings
Another reading
Each call tries a fresh instruction from Amy, so the reader can see what comes of each.
Just be calm, cool, and quiet
Try to be sociable at the Lambs’, gossip as other girls do
Just as you please; I wash my hands of you
Listen for
- Compares at least two calls.
- Says what the reader can see in a series that one scene would hide.
If stuck
- What does Jo do at each of the first three calls?
- What does Amy tell Jo before each one?
- Which call is easiest for Jo, and why?
A strong answer One visit would show Jo in one mood. By the third house we have seen her stiff as a sphinx, gushing at the Lambs', and easy on the grass with the boys. Amy's instruction changes at each door, so the run also lets the reader watch each instruction meet a real room. A strong answer compares two calls and says what the comparison shows that one call could not.
Critical thinking
- Jo does not want to make calls. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what finally gets her to go.
What it asks It asks the student to sort what moves Jo at the start: her own sense of honor, or Amy's coaxing.
One reading
Her promise moves her: she keeps her bargains.
it was a bargain between us. I was to finish the crayon of Beth for you, and you were to go properly with me
you pride yourself on keeping promises; so be honorable
Another reading
Amy's flattery moves her, and Jo knows it.
I’m afraid to go alone; do come and take care of me.
You’re an artful little puss to flatter and wheedle your cross old sister in that way.
Listen for
- Two separate pieces of evidence, not one told twice.
- Notices that Jo names Amy's flattery herself.
If stuck
- What was Amy to do for Jo in the bargain?
- What does Amy say about promises?
- What does Jo say when Amy praises how she looks and behaves?
A strong answer Jo gives in for two reasons the chapter shows. The bargain: Amy was to finish the crayon of Beth and Jo was to go with her, and Amy reminds her that she prides herself on keeping promises. The flattery: Amy says she looks so aristocratic and is afraid to go alone, and Jo calls her an artful little puss but goes. A strong answer uses two different pieces of evidence and says which one moved Jo more.
- 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.
What it asks It asks what is different about the third house: the people, the welcome, or how Jo behaves there.
One reading
Jo is herself here, with people she likes, and stops trying to perform.
Then I’ll enjoy myself. The boys are at home, and we’ll have a comfortable time.
found the change refreshing
Another reading
The boys and their mother welcome her as she is, damage and all.
An enthusiastic welcome from three big boys and several pretty children speedily soothed her ruffled feelings
it was such fun to hear about Laurie’s larks
Listen for
- Two different clues, one about Jo and one about the welcome, or two about either.
- Says what the third house has that the first two lacked.
If stuck
- How does Jo feel as they reach the third mansion?
- What do the boys do when she arrives?
- What do they say when she leaves?
A strong answer At the third house Jo has no part to play. She tells Amy she will enjoy herself, finds the change refreshing, and goes to see the turtle-tank with alacrity. The boys welcome her enthusiastically and beg her to come again because it was such fun to hear about Laurie's larks. A strong answer uses two different pieces of evidence and says whether the ease came more from Jo or from the room.
- 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.
What it asks It asks the student to test Jo's description of herself against what she does in the calls.
One reading
Yes: she is warm in big things and careless in small courtesies.
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
Jo sat as if blandly unconscious of it all
Another reading
Not quite: she does small kind things when she likes the person.
bowed and smiled in the politest way to Tommy Chamberlain
with an air of pride in her sister’s accomplishments
Listen for
- Evidence from what Jo does, not only what she says about herself.
- Says what kind of small things she does and for whom.
If stuck
- What small courtesy does Jo pay Tommy Chamberlain?
- How does she act with the Chesters' questions?
- Whom does she say she would risk her life for?
A strong answer Part of Jo's description fits: at the Chesters' she sits blandly unconscious of Amy's pokes, and she admits it is easier for her to risk her life for a person than to be pleasant to him when she does not feel like it. But she also bows and smiles to Tommy Chamberlain in the politest way and speaks proudly of her sister's work. A strong answer uses two different pieces of evidence and decides how well Jo knows herself.