Chapter 9 · Little Women

Copywork

Somehow the kind act finished her despondency; and when all the rest went to show themselves to Mrs. Moffat, she saw a happy, bright-eyed face in the mirror, as she laid her ferns against her rippling hair, and fastened the roses in the dress that didn’t strike her as so very shabby now.

Read your copy aloud. After the kind act, what does Meg see differently in the mirror?

Discussion

Narration Retell Meg's fortnight in order: the packing, the small party, the talk she overheard, the blue silk, and the talk with Marmee.

Meg makes most of Laurie's roses into bouquets for the Moffat girls, and her dress stops looking so shabby to her. Why might that happen? Inference
Meg first says her old dress “does well enough for a little girl like me,” then accepts Belle's blue silk. Why do you think she changes her mind? Moral reasoning
Laurie tells Meg, “I don’t like fuss and feathers,” then asks her to dance and calls her splendid. What is he telling her? Character
Meg admits she likes being praised. Marmee says that is harmless “if the liking does not become a passion.” How could you tell the difference? Theme
Why might Alcott end the chapter with Meg's confession and Marmee's “plans,” instead of ending at the ball? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you borrowed or wore something that did not feel like you.

Vocabulary

despondency: Somehow the kind act finished her despondency; Low spirits; loss of hope.
shabby: the dress that didn’t strike her as so very shabby now. Worn and faded from long use.
envied: The more she saw of Annie Moffat’s pretty things, the more she envied her, Wished to have what another has.
destitute: she felt that she was a very destitute and much-injured girl, Extremely poor; lacking what is needed.
mortification: it helped her hide her mortification, anger, and disgust at what she had just heard; Deep shame and embarrassment.
talisman: as a sort of talisman against envy, vanity, and false pride; A charm believed to protect its keeper.
affected: with an affected little laugh. Put on for show; not natural.
masquerade: feeling as if she had been to a masquerade, A party where people wear masks and pretend.
penitent: she saw Laurie, looking penitent, as he said, Sorry for having done wrong.
passion: if the liking does not become a passion, A desire so strong it rules one's choices.

Critical thinking

Meg packs her trunk, pleased with her silk stockings and unhappy with her umbrella. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how she feels about her own things.
During the fortnight, Meg starts to copy the Moffats and sees home differently. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what changes in her.
Marmee agreed to the visit rather reluctantly, afraid Meg would come home more discontented. Using two pieces of evidence, explain whether that fear came true.