Not until months afterward did Jo understand how she had the strength of mind to hold fast to the resolution she had made when she decided that she did not love her boy,A firm decision.
Little Women
Chapter 35
Louisa May Alcott · Trailblazers 4th–6th
Copywork
Not until months afterward did Jo understand how she had the strength of mind to hold fast to the resolution she had made when she decided that she did not love her boy, and never could. It was very hard to do, but she did it, knowing that delay was both useless and cruel. “I can’t say ‘Yes’ truly, so I won’t say it at all.
Read your copy aloud. The narrator says Jo did not understand for months how she held fast. Find the two words she gives for what delay would have been, and then read Jo's own sentence and say what word she puts her whole refusal on.
Discussion
Narration Tell back Laurie's graduation, the walk home with Jo, and how Mr. Laurence finally sends him away.
- Jo forgets the jews-harp and hopes the greeting “could not be called lover-like.” What do her small moves on the walk tell us about how she expects it to go? Inference
- Laurie says, “Everyone expects it.” Jo says, “I can’t say ‘Yes’ truly.” Whose claim should count for more? Moral reasoning
- Jo gives Laurie many reasons: tempers, tastes, her scribbling. The narrator says her “little reason” proved “she knew nothing about love.” What is the narrator getting at? Tone
- Mr. Laurence says, “I know, my boy, I know,” and offers to go abroad with him. What does he understand about Laurie that Jo cannot? Character
- The chapter ends with “O Jo, can’t you?” and “Teddy, dear, I wish I could!” Why might Alcott end on those words? Author's choice
Make a Connection Tell about a time you had to tell a friend something they did not want to hear.
Vocabulary
- resolution
- delay
It was very hard to do, but she did it, knowing that delay was both useless and cruel.
Putting something off.- allayed
Evening meditation and morning work somewhat allayed her fears,
Calmed; made less.- fortified
A call at Meg’s, and a refreshing sniff and sip at the Daisy and Demijohn, still further fortified her for the tête-à-tête,
Strengthened for a hard task.- impetuosity
Laurie was a young lover, but he was in earnest, and meant to “have it out,” if he died in the attempt; so he plunged into the subject with characteristic impetuosity,
Rushing headlong on feeling.- implored
“Now do be reasonable, and take a sensible view of the case,” implored Jo, almost at her wit’s end.
Begged earnestly.- conducive
Now that arrangement was not conducive to calm speech or clear thought on Jo’s part;
Helping to bring about.- prophetic
“Anything more?” asked Laurie, finding it hard to listen patiently to this prophetic burst.
Foretelling what is to come.- insensibility
she went straight to Mr. Laurence, told the hard story bravely through, and then broke down, crying so dismally over her own insensibility that the kind old gentleman,
Lack of feeling.
Critical thinking
- Laurie says, “If you loved me, Jo, I should be a perfect saint.” Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jo answers.
- Laurie guesses Jo loves Professor Bhaer. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jo answers him and what his guess shows about Laurie.
- After Jo refuses, Laurie rows away and later plays the piano. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he deals with his grief.