~book club: Introduction and Discussion Questions for Chapters 1-6~

To participate in the discussion, please go to our Goodreads group(CLICK HERE). We won't be moderating any discussion on this blog post!

Tentative schedule (subject to tweaking after we get going):

Chapters

1-6- December 15-30

7-12- December 31-January 12

13-23 January 13- January 26

24-29 January 27- February 9

30-34 February 10- February 23

35-39 February 24- March 9

40-43 March 10- March 24

44-47 March 25- April 7

Introduction:

Little Women came out victorious on our Instagram poll to decide the first book for Ravenquill Press’s Book Club. It’s a great pick, and personally I’m excited for the chance to explore this book together!

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) wrote this novel based on an early unpublished short story and her own diary- it is semi-autobiographical in nature. The March girls are based on Louisa and her own 3 sisters. Louisa, like Jo in the book, had been writing and selling short stories for several years and was quite well known by the time a publisher requested a full length novel for girls. Louisa was hesitant at first, because she herself had always been ‘tomboyish’ and wasn’t sure she even knew what girls would like. But on being asked again, she agreed. While the publisher thought it seemed a bit slow, his ‘beta readers’, girls the age for whom the story was intended, thought differently. They loved it, and so the first half of the book was published in 1868. The much requested second half was published in 1869, under the title ‘Good Wives’. The two were eventually united in one book, the form we know today.

Whether this is your first time reading this novel or the most recent of many re-reads, we hope you’ll find something wonderful and new in this delightful American classic.

Chapters 1-6 Discussion questions & information:

1. We learn early in Chapter 1 that Mr. March is away in the army. Louisa assumed her readers would know exactly what war was being referred to, since it had ended only a few years before the book was published. But, in case you don’t know, it’s the American Civil War (1861-1865). We aren’t sure exactly when the book is meant to take place. In my reader’s theatre adaptation, I decided to make the assumption that it was 1862, thus placing it only a few weeks after the Battle of Fredericksburg. Opinions differ on the date, of course, but it doesn’t really matter- we can be sure it’s in the early 1860s.

2. Jo complains about being a girl, here and often in the first half of the book. Do you think this is because she actually wants to be a boy, or because the demure expectations of a young lady in this era were so constrictive? Although she likes ‘boy’s games’ and would like to be able to help in the war, she also has many very feminine attributes and she grows into a strong woman- but maybe not in all the ways her society would expect of her. Her personality is one that thrives on non-conformity, so this doesn’t bother her too much- but that’s not the case for many people. In many cases, the push for certain attributes negatively affects kids of both genders. To what degree do you think similar issues with gender expectations affect many young people today, particularly in regard to the increase of the LGBQT+ movement? Do you think some of the struggles young people face are more due to the cultural expectations they face then their actual sexuality?  Discuss.

3. In Chapter 4, we are given extended descriptions of the girls personalities. Beth is described as ‘too bashful to go to school. It had been tried, but she suffered so much that it was given up, and she did her lessons at home’  and that ’ her little world was peopled with imaginary friends, and she was by nature a busy bee’. In our era, we might diagnose such a girl as having anxiety, among other possibilities. However, Beth is able to live a very good and helpful life inside her own sphere, and as far as the book makes known, no-one seems to make fun or look down on her for it. Do you think psychological terminology has contributed to the rise of mental illnesses? And conversely, what are some ways it has helped? Discuss.

4. At the end of Chapter 4, Marmee tells the girls a moral tale that sums up the lessons they’d learned that day. Storytelling can be one of the most effective ways to teach, especially for children. However, in my experience, overly moralistic tales can have a negative effect- the Elsie Dinsmore series is a prime example. A character with no faults, or token, trite faults,  is unrealistic, and so either discourage readers because of their unattainable attributes, or bore them because of their lack of believability.  Characters that are unrealistic never taught anyone anything. The biblical parables told by Jesus all have very flawed characters, which is part of what makes them so effective (in addition to being told by the Son of God). That is also a big part of Little Women’s appeal- none of the characters are perfect, and each are relatable in their faults, so their growth is also encouraging and attainable. Do you remember any story or book that had a particular influence on you as a child?

5. In Chapter 5, Jo takes a decisive step to befriend Laurie, after their meeting at the New Year’s Eve party. She’s a confident and extroverted person, whereas Laurie is much more shy and hesitant. Personally, Jo is a role model for me because I tend to be indecisive and reserved. She takes the initiative that Laurie was reluctant to take, and forges a life-long friendship then and there. Are you more outgoing or introverted? And have you ever made a good friend just by being the one to take the first step? Is there someone in your life you might take that risk for now?

Activities:

1: In chapter 5, Jo brings Laurie some blancmange. I had to look that up, because it’s clearly not a common dish these days! It’s basically a milk pudding, and I thought it would be fun to include the receipt. I haven’t made it (yet) but I’m thinking about trying it! If you do, let us know how it turns out!!

https://www.marthastewart.com/1511190/blancmange