CHARACTERS
This sister serves as the novel's creative centerpiece, actively rejecting traditional 19th-century feminine expectations to pursue her literary ambitions.
Who is Jo March?
The cozy, modest home of the March family, where the girls stage plays in the attic and gather around the fireplace.
What is Orchard House?
The classic John Bunyan allegory that Marmee encourages the girls to live out by treating their real-life faults as "burdens."
What is The Pilgrim’s Progress?
"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents."
Who is Jo March?
"This precious item belonging to Jo is destroyed by Amy after an argument between the sisters."
What is Jo’s manuscript?
The eldest March sister, she struggles constantly with her envy of the wealthy and her desire for fine things, though she ultimately chooses love over luxury.
Who is Meg March?
The grand, somewhat lonely estate next door to the Marches, filled with books, a fine piano, and wealth that its young heir is eager to escape.
What is the Laurence Mansion?
The secret, fictional weekly newspaper written, edited, and printed by the four sisters in their attic.
What is The Pickwick Portfolio?
“I rather miss my wild girl, but if I get a strong, helpful, tender-hearted woman in her place, I shall feel quite satisfied.”
Who is Mr. March?
To help finance her mother's emergency trip to Washington to nurse their sick father, Jo sacrifices this physical feature.
What is her hair?
Described as a "regular snow-maiden," her quiet resilience and tragic illness act as the moral and emotional anchor for the entire family.
Who is Beth March?
The austere, gloomy home where Jo spends her days reading to her wealthy, demanding aunt in exchange for pennies and old books.
What is Plumfield (Aunt March's house)?
The dramatic, gothic melodrama written by Jo and performed by the sisters on Christmas night, featuring villains, witches, and true love.
What is The Witch's Curse (or An Operatic Tragedy)?
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."
who is Amy March?
Amy is publicly humiliated at school and struck by her teacher for bringing this forbidden luxury to class to share with her friends.
What are pickled limes?
Often criticized for her early vanity and selfishness, this sister undergoes the most significant social transformation, finishing her artistic education in Europe.
Who is Amy March?
The European capital where Amy studies painting, encounters Laurie after years apart, and ultimately realizes her limitations as a visual artist.
What is Paris?
The type of sensational, violent fiction Jo writes under a pseudonym for weekly tabloids before Professor Bhaer counsels her to stop.
What are "sensational stories" (or potboilers / dime novels)?
"It's like the tide, Jo, when it turns, it goes slowly, but it can't be stopped."
Who is Beth March?
Meg faces intense social embarrassment at the Moffats' "Vanity Fair" party when her wealthy friends treat her like a living puppet by dressing her up in this.
What is a low-cut silk ball gown?
The beloved matriarch of the family, she guides her daughters with gentle wisdom, famously admitting to Jo that she is "angry nearly every day of her life" but has learned to hide it.
Who is Marmee (Mrs. March)?
The bustling New York boarding house where Jo moves to pursue her writing career and meets a kind, intellectual German professor.
What is Mrs. Kirke's boarding house?
This specific object, belonging to Laurie's grandfather, is gifted to Beth as a reward for her quiet kindness and beautiful music.
What is a small cabinet piano?
"Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault"
Who is Mrs. March?
Beth contracts the scarlet fever that permanently weakens her health while selflessly visiting this impoverished local immigrant family.
Who are the Hummels?