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Little Women
Trailblazers · 4th–6th
“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?
Narration Retell the day in order: the cross breakfast, the walk to work, each sister's burden, and the evening stories.
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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.
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He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give his all,
I’d given one man, and thought it too much, while he gave four, without grudging them.
I’m so fond of luxury,” said Meg,
cried Jo, taking a remorseful satisfaction in the snowy walk and bitter wind.
got on remarkably well with her irascible relative.
If anyone had known the care lavished on that dolly,
‘When you feel discontented, think over your blessings, and be grateful.’
made many excellent resolutions;
that is very cunning of you to turn our own stories against us,
I never, never should have got over such a agonizing mortification.”
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The narrator says Meg finds poverty harder to bear than her sisters do. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why.