Chapter 7 · Little Women

Copywork

“I should not have chosen that way of mending a fault,” replied her mother; “but I’m not sure that it won’t do you more good than a milder method. You are getting to be rather conceited, my dear, and it is quite time you set about correcting it.

Read your copy aloud. Marmee says two things that seem to pull against each other. Which words disapprove of what Mr. Davis did, and which words admit it might do good?

Discussion

Narration Retell what happened to Amy in order: the limes, the treat, Jenny Snow, the desk and the window, the platform, and the evening at home.

Amy tells Jenny Snow, “You needn’t be so polite all of a sudden, for you won’t get any.” What is Amy doing, and what does it cost her? Character
When Mr. Davis asks, “You are sure there are no more?” Amy says, “I never lie, sir.” What do you make of her answer? Moral reasoning
Amy bears the blows on her palm without flinching, then must stand on the platform for fifteen minutes. What do you think hurts her most? Inference
Amy expects only sympathy from Marmee, but Marmee says she broke the rules. Why might Marmee answer her that way? Theme
After the scene, Laurie praises a girl who does not know her own talent, and Amy asks whether he is conceited. Why might Alcott end on that talk? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you were corrected in a way you did not like, and whether it helped.

Vocabulary

conceited: You are getting to be rather conceited, my dear, and it is quite time you set about correcting it. Too proud of oneself.
mending: “I should not have chosen that way of mending a fault,” replied her mother; “but I’m not sure that it won’t do you more good than a milder method. Fixing or repairing.
satirical: Jenny Snow, a satirical young lady, who had basely twitted Amy upon her limeless state, Mocking with sharp humor.
rankled: which honor to her foe rankled in the soul of Miss Snow, Caused lasting bitter resentment.
contraband: Now Mr. Davis had declared limes a contraband article, Goods that are forbidden.
composure: Amy rose to comply with outward composure, but a secret fear oppressed her, for the limes weighed upon her conscience. Calmness of manner.
conscience: Amy rose to comply with outward composure, but a secret fear oppressed her, for the limes weighed upon her conscience. The inner sense of right and wrong.
inexorable: all flashed indignant or appealing glances at the inexorable Davis, Impossible to soften or move.
ignominious: and, taking the ignominious place, she fixed her eyes on the stove-funnel Shameful and disgraceful.
defiantly: Amy set her teeth, threw back her head defiantly, and bore without flinching several tingling blows on her little palm. In a bold, resisting way.

Critical thinking

Amy says she is “dreadfully in debt” over pickled limes. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why she feels she must pay.
The narrator describes Mr. Davis in detail before he punishes Amy. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what the narrator wants us to think of him.
Amy leaves school “forever” and the family holds an indignation meeting. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what her family's reactions show.