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Little Women
Trailblazers · 4th–6th
The pillow was gone, but there was a barricade, nevertheless—a natural one, raised by time, absence, and change of heart. Both felt it, and for a minute looked at one another as if that invisible barrier cast a little shadow over them. It was gone directly, however, for Laurie said, with a vain attempt at dignity— “Don’t I look like a married man and the head of a family?”
Read your copy aloud. Find the thing that is gone and the thing that is there instead, and say what the narrator names as the three builders of the new barricade. Then notice how long the shadow lasts and what dissolves it, and say what that tells you about the friendship in this chapter.
Narration Tell back Jo's birthday eve: Laurie's surprise, the talk on the sofa, the family coming home, and the knock at the door.
1. Jo calls herself “a literary spinster, with a pen for a spouse.” How seriously does she mean it, and how can you tell?Tone
2. Laurie says, “Amy and you change places in my heart, that’s all.” Does his account of how that happened convince you?Inference
3. Jo tells Laurie, “playtime is over,” and adds, “I shall miss my boy.” Is she accepting the change, grieving it, or both?Character
4. Mr. Laurence says, “You must be my girl now,” and Jo answers, “I’ll try to fill her place, sir.” Can anyone fill a place like Beth's?Theme
5. The chapter ends with the Professor kissing a picture in the dark, while Jo thinks he has been “appointed to some great honor.” Why might the author let the reader see what Jo does not?Author's choice
Make a Connection Tell about a time you knew something about a friend that the friend did not know.
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The pillow was gone, but there was a barricade, nevertheless—a natural one, raised by time, absence, and change of heart.
It was gone directly, however, for Laurie said, with a vain attempt at dignity—
Jo must have fallen asleep (as I dare say my reader has during this little homily),
You’ve grown bigger and bonnier, but you are the same scapegrace as ever.”
“Yes, please, but I never will again;” and he went down upon his knees, with a penitent clasping of hands, and a face full of mischief, mirth,
not of jealousy, but something like suspicion, caused that gentleman to stand aloof at first, and observe the newcomer with brotherly circumspection.
A stealthy glance now and then refreshed her like sips of fresh water after a dusty walk, for the sidelong peeps showed her several propitious omens.
They could not help it, for he carried the talisman that opens all hearts, and these simple people warmed to him at once,
a peaceful presence, invisible, but dearer than ever, since death could not break the household league that love made indissoluble.
1. When Amy and the others pair off again to return to the parlor, Jo is left companionless. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what she does and feels in that moment.
2. Jo welcomes Mr. Bhaer at the door, then keeps her eyes on her knitting. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how she shows her feelings and how she hides them.
3. Laurie says Amy rules, “at least I let her think so.” Using two pieces of evidence, explain what kind of husband he says he is.