Chapter 4 · Little Women

Copywork

“He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give his all, that I was ashamed of myself. I’d given one man, and thought it too much, while he gave four, without grudging them. I had all my girls to comfort me at home; and his last son was waiting, miles away, to say ‘goodbye’ to him, perhaps!

Read your copy aloud. Marmee feels ashamed after hearing the old man. What does she compare in the next two sentences?

Discussion

Narration Retell the day in order: the cross breakfast, the walk to work, each sister's burden, and the evening stories.

Meg says “no one cares whether I’m pretty or not” and that she will “toil and moil all my days.” What do you think is really bothering her? Inference
Jo calls herself and her sisters rascals and wretches, and Meg says she is neither. Who do you think is being more honest about the morning? Character
Beth says to herself, “I know I’ll get my music some time, if I’m good.” What does she seem to believe about being good? Theme
Meg is “rather glad” she has no wild brothers, and Amy stops envying Susie once she is disgraced. Is it kind to feel better because of someone else's trouble? Moral reasoning
Why might Alcott end the chapter with Jo's joke about old Chloe instead of ending on Marmee's story? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time a bad morning turned better because of something small.

Vocabulary

sincere: He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give his all, Honest and truly meant.
grudging: I’d given one man, and thought it too much, while he gave four, without grudging them. Giving unwillingly or with resentment.
luxury: I’m so fond of luxury,” said Meg, Costly comfort beyond what is needed.
remorseful: cried Jo, taking a remorseful satisfaction in the snowy walk and bitter wind. Sorry for having done wrong.
irascible: got on remarkably well with her irascible relative. Easily made angry.
lavished: If anyone had known the care lavished on that dolly, Gave generously and in great amounts.
discontented: ‘When you feel discontented, think over your blessings, and be grateful.’ Unhappy with what one has.
resolutions: made many excellent resolutions; Firm decisions to do better.
cunning: that is very cunning of you to turn our own stories against us, Clever in a sly way.
mortification: I never, never should have got over such a agonizing mortification.” Deep shame and embarrassment.

Critical thinking

Jo reads the Vicar of Wakefield while Aunt March naps. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Jo manages to get on with Aunt March.
Beth tells how Mr. Laurence gave the fish to a poor woman. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what makes his act of giving stand out.
The narrator says Meg finds poverty harder to bear than her sisters do. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why.