Little Women

Table of Contents

FROM THE PAGES OF LITTLE WOMEN

Title Page

Copyright Page

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

THE WORLD OF LOUISA MAY

Introduction

Part One

Chapter 1 – Playing Pilgrims

Chapter 2 – A Merry Christmas

Chapter 3 – The Laurence Boy

Chapter 4 – Burdens

Chapter 5 – Being Neighborly

Chapter 6 – Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful

Chapter 7 – Amy’s Valley of Humiliation

Chapter 8 – Jo Meets Apollyon

Chapter 9 – Meg Goes to Vanity Fair

Chapter 10 – The P. C. and P. O.

Chapter 11 – Experiments

Chapter 12 – Camp Laurence

Chapter 13 – Castles in the Air

Chapter 14 – Secrets

Chapter 15 – A Telegram

Chapter 16 – Letters

Chapter 17 – Little Faithful

Chapter 18 – Dark Days

Chapter 19 – Amy’s Will

Chapter 20 – Confidential

Chapter 21 – Laurie Makes Mischief, and Jo Makes Peace

Chapter 22 – Pleasant Meadows

Chapter 23 – Aunt March Settles the Question

Part Two

Chapter 24 – Gossip

Chapter 25 – The First Wedding

Chapter 26 – Artistic Attempts

Chapter 27 – Literary Lessons

Chapter 28 – Domestic Experiences

Chapter 29 – Calls

Chapter 30 – Consequences

Chapter 31 – Our Foreign Correspondent

Chapter 32 – Tender Troubles

Chapter 33 – Jo’s Journal

Chapter 34 – A Friend

Chapter 35 – Heartache

Chapter 36 – Beth’s Secret

Chapter 37 – New Impressions

Chapter 38 – On the Shelf

Chapter 39 – Lazy Laurence

Chapter 40 – The Valley of the Shadow

Chapter 41 – Learning to Forget

Chapter 42 – All Alone

Chapter 43 – Surprises

Chapter 44 – My Lord and Lady

Chapter 45 – Daisy and Demi

Chapter 46 – Under the Umbrella

Chapter 47 – Harvest Time

INSPIRED BY LITTLE WOMEN

COMMENTS & QUESTIONS

FOR FURTHER READING

FROM THE PAGES OF LITTLE WOMEN

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.” (page 11)

“I’m the man of the family now Papa is away, and I shall provide the slippers, for he told me to take special care of Mother while he was gone.” (page 14)

“I’ll try and be what he loves to call me, ‘a little woman,’ and not be rough and wild, but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else.” (page 18)

Boys are trying enough to human patience, goodness knows, but girls are infinitely more so. (page 71)

“Little girls shouldn’t ask questions.” (page 76)

“Housekeeping ain’t no joke.” (page 114)

“Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty.”

(page 121)

“Wouldn’t it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true, and we could live in them?” (page 143)

“People don’t have fortunes left them in that style nowadays, men have to work and women to marry for money. It’s a dreadfully unjust world.” (page 158)

She could not speak, but she did “hold on,” and the warm grasp of the friendly human hand comforted her sore heart, and seemed to lead her nearer to the Divine arm which alone could uphold her in her trouble. (page 183)

“Beth is my conscience, and I can’t give her up. I can‘t! I can’t!”

(page 183)

Jo’s face was a study next day, for the secret rather weighed upon her, and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important. Meg observed it, but did not trouble herself to make inquiries, for she had learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries, so she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask. (page 202)

It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women. (page 250)

Amy sailed away to find the Old World, which is always new and beautiful to young eyes, while her father and friend watched her from the shore, fervently hoping that none but gentle fortunes would befall the happy-hearted girl, who waved her hand to them till they could see nothing but the summer sunshine dazzling on the sea. (page 302)

“Girls are so queer you never know what they mean. They say no when they mean yes, and drive a man out of his wits just for the fun of it.” (pages 351-352)

Little they cared what anybody thought, for they were enjoying the happy hour that seldom comes but once in any life, the magical moment which bestows youth on the old, beauty on the plain, wealth on the poor, and gives human hearts a foretaste of heaven. (page 457)

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT