That is the secret of our home happiness: he does not let business wean him from the little cares and duties that affect us all,To draw someone away from what they have depended on.
Little Women
Chapter 38
Louisa May Alcott · Trailblazers 4th–6th
Copywork
Then father came to the rescue, quietly managed everything, and made himself so helpful that I saw my mistake, and never have been able to get on without him since. That is the secret of our home happiness: he does not let business wean him from the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try not to let domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits. Each do our part alone in many things, but at home we work together, always.”
Read your copy aloud as Marmee telling her own story. Who came to whose rescue, and what mistake did she see? Then read the second sentence again and find the two halves of the secret, one for him and one for her.
Discussion
Narration Tell back how the Dovecote changed after the babies came, what Marmee told Meg, and what happened the night of the supper.
- Meg tells Marmee, “I thought you’d take my part!” Marmee says, “So I do, as far as sympathizing goes; but I think the fault is yours.” Is Marmee taking her side or not? Character
- Meg says, “I thought I was right, and he never said anything.” What might have happened if John had spoken up sooner? Inference
- Meg and John claim Demi in the same words, one against harshness and one against indulgence. Who is right about how to treat Demi? Moral reasoning
- John thinks, “She is trying to like politics for my sake, so I’ll try and like millinery for hers, that’s only fair.” How does that thought change the evening? Theme
- The chapter ends with a paragraph about “a woman’s happiest kingdom.” How well does that closing match what the chapter has just shown? Author's choice
Make a Connection Tell about a time two people you know each thought the other should be the one to change.
Vocabulary
- wean
- pursuits
he does not let business wean him from the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try not to let domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits.
The things a person follows and works at.- incumbrances
John doesn’t find me interesting any longer, so he leaves his faded wife and goes to see his pretty neighbor, who has no incumbrances.
Burdens that weigh one down.- obstreperous
but papa was not so easily subjugated, and occasionally afflicted his tender spouse by an attempt at paternal discipline with his obstreperous son.
Noisy and unruly.- subjugated
Mamma was an abject slave to their caprices, but papa was not so easily subjugated,
Brought under control.- pertinacious
all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not change that pertinacious little mind.
Stubbornly holding on.- delinquencies
Meg returned to her place, and supper was progressing pleasantly, when the little ghost walked again, and exposed the maternal delinquencies by boldly demanding—
Failures to do what one should.- lucid
He read a long debate with the most amiable readiness, and then explained it in his most lucid manner, while Meg tried to look deeply interested,
Clear and easy to follow.- ambiguity
but she kept these feminine ideas to herself, and when John paused, shook her head, and said with what she thought diplomatic ambiguity—
Wording that could mean more than one thing.
Critical thinking
- John goes to the Scotts' in the evening. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why.
- Marmee tells Meg how she once made the same mistake. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how her own story helps her advice.
- Meg kisses Demi and John holds firm. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Meg and John each help put him to sleep.