Little Women
Chapter 5 — 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
When Jo sighs "What richness!" in the Laurence library and Laurie answers that a fellow can't live on books, what is each of them counting as riches, and which kind actually crosses the hedge that afternoon?
The tension The chapter sets the stately stone mansion, which the narrator calls lonely and lifeless, against the shabby brown house that Laurie watches like a picture with a mother's face in it. Jo enters sure she knows what Laurie needs (jolly boys, a party) and finds a boy who wants quiet talk and a family table. Her blunt way of being neighborly, snowball, broom, and unasked advice, is set against the good breeding of the Laurences, yet it is her bluntness that Mr. Laurence calls her grandfather's spirit. The visit warms everyone, and still ends on a discord the girls cannot mend: the old man does not like to hear the boy play.
Today's focus
Notice what Jo thinks Laurie needs, what he says he wants, and what the visit gives each of them.
Two core ideas
- Jo crosses the hedge sure that Laurie needs jolly boys and a party, and finds a boy who would rather talk and who watches the Marches' table from his window.
- The visit warms the big house, but it ends on something unsolved: Mr. Laurence looks displeased, and Laurie says his grandfather does not like to hear him play.
The shape at a glance
Jo sees Laurie at his window, tosses up a snowball, and then visits him with blancmange and Beth's kittens. They talk and tour the library, where Jo meets Mr. Laurence in front of his portrait. After tea and the conservatory, Laurie plays the grand piano, and the evening ends with Mr. Laurence not pleased at his playing.
A way in
Start with the two houses and ask the student what Jo sees when she looks at the big house, and what Laurie sees when he looks at hers.
Lesson plan
Retell The student tells the afternoon back in order: the snowball, the room, the library, Mr. Laurence, the conservatory, and the piano.
Imitate the author After copying Laurie's speech, the student writes two sentences in the same pattern about something they watch from a distance and what it makes them feel.
Debate Take sides: in the library, is Jo or Laurie counting riches more truly? Each side must use at least one quote from the chapter.
Purpose Close by asking why Alcott ends a warm visit with Mr. Laurence not pleased at the piano.
Easier Read the window scene aloud together and talk through discussion questions 2 and 3 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 thing that crosses the hedge between the two houses, and to add it to a critical-thinking answer.
Discussion
- Before Jo crosses the hedge, Alcott describes the two houses side by side. What do you think she wants us to notice about each?Author's choice
What it asks It asks what the narrator's picture of the two houses sets up before anyone speaks, and what the reader carries into the visit.
One reading
She wants us to see that the stone house has every comfort and still feels empty, with no young ones and no mother at its windows.
plainly betokening every sort of comfort and luxury
a lonely, lifeless sort of house; for no children frolicked on the lawn, no motherly face ever smiled at the windows
Another reading
She wants us to see the houses through Jo, who finds the grand one glamorous, while the brown house looks bare beside it.
To Jo’s lively fancy, this fine house seemed a kind of enchanted palace, full of splendors and delights, which no one enjoyed.
looking rather bare and shabby, robbed of the vines that in summer covered its walls
Listen for
- Uses the narrator's own words about each house.
- Notices whose eyes the big house is seen through.
If stuck
- What does the narrator list for the stone house? What does she list for the brown one?
- What is missing at the windows of the stone house?
- Whose fancy turns the big house into a palace?
A strong answer The stone mansion is described by what it has: a coach-house, a conservatory, rich curtains. The brown house is described by what winter has taken from it, its vines and flowers. Then the narrator says the mansion seems lonely and lifeless, and Jo's fancy turns it into an enchanted palace nobody enjoys. So the reader enters the story holding two pictures at once, one from the narrator and one from Jo. A strong answer says what each house shows and does not decide ahead of time which is better.
- Jo thinks Laurie needs “a party of jolly boys to play with.” What does he actually seem to want?Inference
What it asks It asks the student to set Jo's guess beside what Laurie says and does, and work out what he is reaching for.
One reading
He wants quiet company and someone to talk to, not noise.
There isn’t anyone I’d like to see. Boys make such a row, and my head is weak.
Thank you; I’ve read all those, and if you don’t mind, I’d rather talk
Another reading
He wants a family around him, the kind he watches through the Marches' window.
it’s like looking at a picture to see the fire, and you all round the table with your mother
I haven’t got any mother, you know;
Listen for
- Names what Laurie turns down and what he says yes to.
- Uses his own words, not only Jo's.
If stuck
- What does Laurie say about boys?
- What does he choose to do when Jo offers to read aloud?
- What does he say he watches from his window?
A strong answer Jo guesses that he is suffering for society and fun, but Laurie says boys make such a row and his head is weak. When she offers to read aloud he would rather talk. Later he says he watches the Marches' lighted window, with a mother's face behind the flowers. A strong answer names what he turns down and what he reaches for, and can say whether he wants quiet, or a family, or both.
- Jo tells Laurie to make an effort and stop being bashful, and he is not offended. Why does her bluntness work on him?Character
What it asks It asks why blunt advice from a near stranger lands as kindness, and what Jo and Laurie each bring to that.
One reading
Jo means well, and Laurie can hear it.
there was so much goodwill in Jo, it was impossible not to take her blunt speeches as kindly as they were meant
Never mind being bashful; it won’t last long if you keep going.
Another reading
Laurie is so lonely that any friendly visit is welcome, even a bossy one.
Laurie was in a flutter of excitement at the idea of having company
began Laurie, brightening more and more
Listen for
- Separates what Jo says from how she means it.
- Gives a reason from Laurie's side, not only Jo's.
If stuck
- What does Jo say to Laurie about visiting?
- How does Laurie look while she talks?
- What does the narrator say about Jo's goodwill?
A strong answer Jo tells Laurie he ought to make an effort and not be bashful, which could sound like a scolding. The narrator says there was so much goodwill in Jo that her blunt speeches were taken as kindly as meant. It also helps that Laurie is lonely and excited to have company, so he brightens more and more. A strong answer weighs Jo's goodwill against Laurie's loneliness and can ask whether the same words would work from someone else.
- Mr. Laurence says Jo has her grandfather's spirit, if not his face. What do you think he values in a person?Theme
What it asks It asks what Mr. Laurence admires, judging by what he says to Jo and what he has just heard her say.
One reading
He values bravery and honesty over looks.
You’ve got your grandfather’s spirit, if you haven’t his face. He was a fine man, my dear; but, what is better, he was a brave and an honest one, and I was proud to be his friend.
Another reading
He values plain speech, even when it is aimed at him.
“Yes, I do, sir.”
He liked Jo, for her odd, blunt ways suited him
Listen for
- Uses Mr. Laurence's words and what Jo said in front of the portrait.
- Says why that answer pleased him.
If stuck
- What did Jo say about the portrait before she knew he was there?
- What does he ask her, and how does she answer?
- What does he say is better than a fine face?
A strong answer Jo has just said, about his portrait, that his mouth is grim but his eyes are kind, and that she likes him. When he asks whether she likes him in spite of his tremendous will, she says yes, and that pleases him. He tells her she has her grandfather's spirit and says a brave and honest man is better than a handsome one. A strong answer points to bravery, honesty, or plain speech, and says how Jo's answer showed it.
- Mr. Laurence stops Jo's praise of Laurie's playing: “Too many sugarplums are not good for him.” Is he caring for the boy or being unfair to him?Moral reasoning
What it asks It asks whether an old man's cutting remark is good care or unkindness, and what the scene supports.
One reading
He is caring for Laurie: he has just decided the boy is lonely, and he wants him to do well at more than music.
Too many sugarplums are not good for him. His music isn’t bad, but I hope he will do as well in more important things.
She’s right; the lad is lonely. I’ll see what these little girls can do for him
Another reading
He is being unfair: the praise was earned, and Laurie is left feeling his playing displeases his grandfather.
He shook hands kindly, but looked as if something did not please him.
No, it was me; he doesn’t like to hear me play.
Listen for
- Uses both what Mr. Laurence says and how he looks.
- Says what Laurie has to carry away from the moment.
If stuck
- What did Jo say about Laurie's playing, and how did Laurie take it?
- What does Mr. Laurence say next?
- What does Laurie tell Jo in the hall?
A strong answer Jo praises Laurie until he is abashed, and his grandfather steps in, saying too many sugarplums are not good for him and hoping he will do as well in more important things. That can be read as a careful guardian who has just decided the boy needs company. But Mr. Laurence looks as if something did not please him, and Laurie says his grandfather does not like to hear him play, without explaining, saying only 'I’ll tell you some day.' A strong answer takes a side and admits the scene does not say why.
Critical thinking
- Jo says she knew Laurie would laugh at Beth's kittens. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why they turned out to be just the thing.
What it asks It asks what Beth's funny loan does for Laurie that a polite gift might not, using two pieces of evidence.
One reading
The kittens make him laugh, and laughing melts his shyness.
in laughing over the kits, Laurie forgot his bashfulness, and grew sociable at once
I knew you’d laugh at them, but I couldn’t refuse, she was so anxious to do something.
Another reading
The kittens carry the Marches' kindness, so Laurie feels the whole family reaching out.
Mother sent her love, and was glad if I could do anything for you.
Beth thought her cats would be comforting
Listen for
- Two separate pieces of evidence, not one told twice.
- A reason that explains why a funny gift can work better than a fine one.
If stuck
- What does Laurie do when he sees the kittens?
- What does Jo say about why Beth sent them?
A strong answer Laurie laughs over the kittens and forgets his bashfulness, becoming sociable at once. Jo says Beth thought her cats would be comforting and was so anxious to do something, so the kittens carry Beth's wish to help. A strong answer uses one piece about what the kittens do to Laurie and one about what they say from the Marches, and explains why that mattered more than the gift's size.
- Jo tidies Laurie's room in two minutes while she talks. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Laurie takes it.
What it asks It asks why tidying a stranger's room is welcome and not rude, using two pieces of evidence.
One reading
Laurie welcomes it because the mess was already bothering him.
It might be if it was kept nice; but the maids are lazy, and I don’t know how to make them mind. It worries me, though.
How kind you are! Yes, that’s what it wanted.
Another reading
Jo does it lightly and cheerfully, so it feels like a favor and not a criticism.
as she laughed and talked, Jo had whisked things into place, and given quite a different air to the room
Laurie watched her in respectful silence
Listen for
- Evidence from what Laurie says and from how Jo does it.
- A reason that explains why he is grateful and not embarrassed.
If stuck
- What does Laurie say about the room before Jo starts?
- What is Jo doing with her voice while she tidies?
A strong answer Laurie has just said that the untidy room worries him, and afterward he says gratefully that it is just what it wanted. Jo also tidies as she laughs and talks, and he watches in respectful silence. A strong answer uses one line Laurie says and one thing about how Jo does it, and explains why the help was welcome.
- Mr. Laurence says little at tea but watches the young people. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he notices and what he decides.
What it asks It asks the student to follow Mr. Laurence's thoughts at tea and find what moves him, using two pieces of evidence.
One reading
What moves him is the change in Laurie, which he can see in the boy's face.
the change in his grandson did not escape him
There was color, light, and life in the boy’s face now, vivacity in his manner, and genuine merriment in his laugh.
Another reading
What moves him is Jo herself, whose blunt ways suit him and who understands the boy.
She’s right; the lad is lonely. I’ll see what these little girls can do for him
He liked Jo, for her odd, blunt ways suited him; and she seemed to understand the boy almost as well as if she had been one herself.
Listen for
- Says what Mr. Laurence sees and what he decides.
- Uses his thought in the text, not only the narrator's description.
If stuck
- What does the narrator say has changed in Laurie's face?
- What does Mr. Laurence think as he looks and listens?
A strong answer Mr. Laurence sees color, light, and life in Laurie's face, and he thinks Jo was right that the lad is lonely and decides to see what these little girls can do for him. He also likes Jo's odd, blunt ways, which suit him. A strong answer uses one thing he sees and one thing he thinks, and explains which of them did more to change his mind.