Little Women
Chapter 37 — 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 dresses deliberately to catch Laurie's eye and then tells him tulle is cheap and posies free, and Laurie, who has learned polished compliments, is asked for his old bluntness, so what does each of them actually admire in the other by the end of the evening, and how much of it was planned?
The tension The chapter is built from two people studying each other and not quite knowing it. Amy misses the boy in the moody man and dislikes his new tone; Laurie sees elegance, aplomb, and a frankness unspoiled by polish. She prinks on purpose, arranges herself under a chandelier and then thinks better of it, and is furious when he is relieved to sit out a dance. Her honest sentence about making the most of poor little things is the one she regrets, and it is the one that turns his admiration into respect. The narrator calls the impressions mutual and unconscious right after showing how much of Amy's was deliberate.
Today's focus
Watch how Amy and Laurie look at each other after a year apart, and what each one does about it.
Two core ideas
- Amy and Laurie meet at Nice with fresh eyes: she misses the merry boy, and he finds a graceful, frank young woman.
- The evening sorts out what each sees: Amy dresses with care, Laurie's manner changes, and one honest sentence from Amy ends the chapter's talk.
The shape at a glance
Laurie meets Amy on the Promenade des Anglais on Christmas Day. They drive to Castle Hill and feed the peacocks. That evening Amy dresses with care for a ball, punishes Laurie's slowness by filling her dance book, and ends the night with a sentence about tulle and posies that changes how he looks at her.
A way in
Start with Laurie's new polite compliment. Ask what Amy hears in it, and what she was used to.
Lesson plan
Retell The student tells the chapter back in order: the Promenade, the drive, Castle Hill, Amy dressing, the ball and the supper talk.
Imitate the author After copying the passage, the student writes one sentence in the same pattern: a change someone does not understand, then a hint at what brought it about.
Debate Take sides: did Amy plan the evening, or did it happen to her? Each side must use at least one quote from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why the author calls the impressions unconscious right after showing how much Amy planned.
Easier Read the greeting and the supper talk aloud together and talk through discussion questions 2 and 5 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 more place where Amy or Laurie says one thing and looks another, and to add it to a critical-thinking answer.
Discussion
- Laurie says, “mademoiselle has made good use of her time.” Amy blushes, but the compliment does not satisfy her. What do you think she misses?Tone
What it asks It asks what Amy hears in a polite compliment that she did not hear in Laurie's old blunt praise.
One reading
She misses warmth: the new tone sounds distant where the old praise was friendly.
it sounded indifferent in spite of the look
told her she was “altogether jolly,” with a hearty smile and an approving pat on the head
Another reading
She misses the boy he was, and the polish reminds her he has grown older.
she could not find the merry-faced boy she left in the moody-looking man beside her
If that’s the way he’s going to grow up, I wish he’d stay a boy
Listen for
- Sets the new compliment beside the old one.
- Says what "indifferent in spite of the look" means.
If stuck
- What did Laurie say to her at festivals at home?
- What does the narrator say about the new tone?
- What does Amy think to herself right after?
A strong answer At home Laurie used to tell her she was altogether jolly, with a hearty smile and a pat on the head. Now the words are prettier, but the narrator says they sound indifferent in spite of the look. Amy may be missing the warmth, or she may be missing the boy who gave the old praise, since she wishes he would stay a boy. A strong answer compares the two compliments and says what Amy hears in each.
- Laurie says “Good evening, Diana!” and Amy answers “Good evening, Apollo!” What does that little game tell us about how they see each other tonight?Character
What it asks It asks what a playful greeting shows about two friends meeting again at a party, and whether the game is new or old.
One reading
Each is pleased by how the other looks, and the names are a way to say so.
with the look of satisfaction she liked to see in his eyes when they rested on her
he, too, looked unusually debonair, and the thought of entering the ballroom on the arm of such a personable man
Another reading
The game is old and familiar, a way of starting on the footing they used to have.
I like your old bluntness better.
asked if his tie was straight, just as he used to do when they went to parties together, at home
Listen for
- Says what each of them does or thinks, not only the names.
- Notices something that is new and something that is old.
If stuck
- What does Laurie's look say when he says Diana?
- What does Amy think of him as she answers?
- What does Laurie do for her gloves?
A strong answer Both names are compliments, and both look pleased: Laurie with satisfaction, and Amy with the thought of arriving on the arm of a personable man. The game is also old play, like the tie and the gloves he used to fuss with at home. A strong answer says what is new and what is familiar about the greeting, and uses what each does.
- Amy gives Laurie a dance, then fills her book until supper. Was that fair to him, or does he deserve it?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks whether Amy's small punishment fits what Laurie did, and how much of it is hurt pride.
One reading
It is fair: he was careless about her, and she is teaching him.
which reprehensible want of forethought was properly punished
he strolled, instead of rushing, up to claim her for the next
Another reading
It is partly pride: she wanted to show him she was not to be trifled with.
hoping that the name would have a good effect, and show Laurie that she was not to be trifled with
meaning to relent if he then gave any signs of penitence
Listen for
- Says what Laurie did and what Amy did in return.
- Notices that Amy hides her anger under a smile.
If stuck
- What does Laurie say when he asks "Do you care to dance?"
- How does Amy fill her ball-book?
- What does Amy see Laurie do as she gallops away?
A strong answer Laurie asks whether she cares to dance, which surprises her, and then does not secure her for the joys to come; the narrator calls that reprehensible want of forethought and says it was properly punished. But Amy also wants him to see she is not to be trifled with, and she relents only if he shows penitence. A strong answer says how much was about what he did and how much about her pride.
- The narrator says Amy “deliberately ‘prinked’” and then adds “we all have our little weaknesses.” How does the narrator want us to take her dressing up?Tone
What it asks It asks the student to hear the narrator's voice in two sentences and decide whether it teases, forgives, admires or all three.
One reading
The narrator is amused and forgiving: Amy's little vanities are easy to pardon in the young.
we all have our little weaknesses, and find it easy to pardon such in the young
keep our hearts merry with their artless vanities
Another reading
The narrator is also admiring: Amy's taste and skill are real.
Amy knew her good points, and made the most of them, with the taste and skill which is a fortune to a poor and pretty woman
got up charming little toilettes with fresh flowers, a few trinkets, and all manner of dainty devices
Listen for
- Uses the narrator's own words, not only a summary.
- Says what the narrator keeps from blaming her.
If stuck
- What word does the narrator put in quotation marks?
- Whom does the narrator say we forgive easily?
- What does the narrator say about Amy's skill?
A strong answer The narrator says Amy deliberately prinked, and in the next breath forgives it: we all have our weaknesses and pardon them in the young. The narrator also praises her, since her taste and skill are a fortune to a poor and pretty woman. A strong answer hears teasing and praise together and uses two phrases to show it.
- Amy says “tulle is cheap, posies to be had for nothing,” and then regrets the sentence. Why might she worry it “wasn’t in good taste”?Inference
What it asks It asks what is risky in telling someone your dress is cheap, and what Amy fears she has given away.
One reading
She fears she has said aloud that she is poor, which a polished girl might hide.
I am used to making the most of my poor little things
fearing it wasn’t in good taste
Another reading
She fears she has undone the polish she had just claimed.
Foreign life polishes one in spite of one’s self; I study as well as play
Amy rather regretted that last sentence
Listen for
- Says what Amy had just said before the sentence she regrets.
- Gives a reason for the regret that uses her own words.
If stuck
- What was Laurie asking about when she said it?
- What did she say about foreign life just before?
- What word does the narrator use for what she worries about?
A strong answer Amy has just said that foreign life polishes one, and then she says tulle is cheap and posies are free. She may fear that mentioning cost makes her poor, or that it undoes the elegance she has been showing. The chapter says only that she regretted it, fearing it was not in good taste. A strong answer gives a reason for her worry and uses what she said just before.
Critical thinking
- At the peacocks Laurie studies Amy after a year apart. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he finds changed in her and what he finds the same.
What it asks It asks the student to sort the narrator's list of what has changed in Amy from what has not.
One reading
She has changed: she has gained elegance and a settled manner.
that indescribable something in dress and bearing which we call elegance
she had gained a certain aplomb in both carriage and conversation
Another reading
She is still herself: the old petulance and plain speech remain.
her old petulance now and then showed itself, her strong will still held its own
her native frankness was unspoiled by foreign polish
Listen for
- One quote for what changed and one for what stayed.
- Says what Laurie finds in this, using the narrator's words.
If stuck
- What does Amy do while Laurie looks at her?
- What does the narrator say she has gained?
- What does the narrator say has not changed?
A strong answer Laurie finds elegance and a certain aplomb that make her seem more of a woman of the world than she is. He also finds the old petulance, the strong will and a native frankness unspoiled by foreign polish. A strong answer uses one quote for what has changed and one for what has not, and says what he finds there.
- Amy fears for Beth, and Laurie tells her, “I think you are right, there.” Using two pieces of evidence, explain what his answer does for Amy.
What it asks It asks what a short, kind answer gives Amy: a reason to stay, or a feeling that someone is near.
One reading
It gives her a reason: staying is a comfort to her family.
you could do nothing at home, and it is a great comfort to them to know that you are well and happy
I often think I ought to go home, but they all say ‘stay;’ so I do
Another reading
It gives her company: he is near and more like his old self.
He drew a little nearer, and looked more like his old self
she would not be alone in a strange land
Listen for
- Two different pieces of evidence, not one told twice.
- Stays with what the chapter says about Beth and does not add to it.
If stuck
- What does Amy read in her letter?
- What does Laurie do as he says it?
- What does Amy feel about being alone?
A strong answer Laurie gives Amy a reason she can hold on to: she could do nothing at home, and her being well and happy is a comfort to them. He also draws nearer and looks more like his old self, so the fear that weighed on her is lightened, because she would not be alone in a strange land. A strong answer uses one line for the reason and one for the feeling of company.
- Amy pities the Davis girls and bows to them in her friendliest manner. Using two pieces of evidence, explain whether her pity is kindness, vanity, or both.
What it asks It asks the student to weigh the narrator's report of Amy's pity and of her bow, and to decide what they show together.
One reading
It is kind: she sees their plainness and lack of escort and is friendly.
She did pity the Davis girls, who were awkward, plain, and destitute of escort
she bowed to them in her friendliest manner as she passed
Another reading
It is vain: the bow lets them see her dress and her friend.
which was good of her, as it permitted them to see her dress, and burn with curiosity to know who her distinguished-looking friend might be
caused Amy to pity the four plain Misses Davis from the bottom of her heart
Listen for
- Two different pieces of evidence, one for each side.
- Hears the narrator's gentle joke in "which was good of her."
If stuck
- What does Amy see about the Davis girls?
- What does the bow let them see?
- What does the narrator say about it?
A strong answer Amy does pity the Davis girls, who are plain and without escort, and she bows to them in her friendliest manner. But the narrator adds that it was good of her, since it let them see her dress and burn with curiosity about her distinguished-looking friend. A strong answer uses one line for each and says whether the joke is at her expense or only gentle.