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The story follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—and details their passage from childhood to womanhood. Loosely based on the lives of the author and her three sisters, it is classified as an autobiographical or semi-autobiographical novel.
I rated Little Women a 1/5 on Goodreads. I personally did not enjoy this well written novel.
I rated Little Women a 1/5 on Goodreads. I personally did not enjoy this well written novel.
DISCUSSION POST #1:
Chapter 9 - “I don’t like full or feathers”
Chapter 11 - “Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone. It keeps us from ennui and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence better than money or fashion”
To what themes do these quotes relate to? Can they relate to each other? What is their importance to the overall novel?
The quote “I don’t like full or feathers” was said by Laurie; He is meaning that he does not wish to have anything excessively elaborate. The quote “Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone. It keeps us from ennui and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence better than money or fashion” was said by Jo; she is meaning that their family does not live an excessively elaborate life, but they are going to work as hard as they can in order to live a substantial life. I would relate both of these quotes to the theme of independence.
Chapter 11 - “Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone. It keeps us from ennui and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence better than money or fashion”
To what themes do these quotes relate to? Can they relate to each other? What is their importance to the overall novel?
The quote “I don’t like full or feathers” was said by Laurie; He is meaning that he does not wish to have anything excessively elaborate. The quote “Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone. It keeps us from ennui and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence better than money or fashion” was said by Jo; she is meaning that their family does not live an excessively elaborate life, but they are going to work as hard as they can in order to live a substantial life. I would relate both of these quotes to the theme of independence.
DISCUSSION POST #2
Chapter 20 - “I’m not ambitious for a splendid fortune, or fashionable position, or a great name for my girls. If rank and money come with love and virtue, also, I should accept them gratefully, and enjoy your good fortune, but I know, by experience, how much genuine happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures.”
Knowing that this quote comes towards the end of Part I, why do you think it is important for the speaker to say this? Why do you think it is important that Margaret says this?
This quote was said by Margaret, “I’m not ambitious for a splendid fortune, or fashionable position, or a great name for my girls. If rank and money come with love and virtue, also, I should accept them gratefully, and enjoy your good fortune, but I know, by experience, how much genuine happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures.” I think this is such a significant quote because Margaret is stating that she will not live a life seeking to rise in title, she will simply live her life to be driven by happiness.
Knowing that this quote comes towards the end of Part I, why do you think it is important for the speaker to say this? Why do you think it is important that Margaret says this?
This quote was said by Margaret, “I’m not ambitious for a splendid fortune, or fashionable position, or a great name for my girls. If rank and money come with love and virtue, also, I should accept them gratefully, and enjoy your good fortune, but I know, by experience, how much genuine happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures.” I think this is such a significant quote because Margaret is stating that she will not live a life seeking to rise in title, she will simply live her life to be driven by happiness.
DISCUSSION POST #3
Chapter 27 - Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing, but poverty has its sunny side, and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand, and to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world. Jo enjoyed a taste of this satisfaction, and ceased to envy richer girls, taking great comfort in the knowledge that she could supply her own wants, and need to ask no one for a penny.
Why is this quote important? Wealth and poverty are looked at interestingly in the beginning sentences. Do you agree with the speaker?
This quote is important because it is pointing out that money cannot buy happiness. Wealth is desirable in life, but we are able to be happy poor, and loved. In order to get what we want we must work for it. I absolutely agree with this quote.
Why is this quote important? Wealth and poverty are looked at interestingly in the beginning sentences. Do you agree with the speaker?
This quote is important because it is pointing out that money cannot buy happiness. Wealth is desirable in life, but we are able to be happy poor, and loved. In order to get what we want we must work for it. I absolutely agree with this quote.
DISCUSSION POST #4
Chapter 34 - [Jo] began to see that character is a better possession than money, rank, intellect, or beauty, and to feel that if greatness is what a wise man has defined it to be, “truth, reverence, and goodwill,” then her friend Friedrich Bhaer was not only good, but great.
Chapter 35 -“I can’t love anyone else, and I’ll never forget you, Jo, never! Never!” with a stamp to emphasize his passionate words.
“What shall I do with him?” sighed Jo, finding that emotions were more unmanageable than she expected. “You haven’t heard what I wanted to tell you. Sit down and listen, for indeed I want to do right and make you happy,” she said, hoping to soothe him with a little reason, which proved that she knew nothing about love.
What do all of these quotes have in common? Do you think that there is some validity to them? Do you think Jo got what she wanted by the [almost] end of the novel?
First, in chapter 34, Jo finds friendship with an older professor, Friedrich Bhaer, who is defined to be “truth, reverence, and goodwill.” Bhaer is very wise, and Jo finds comfort in his wisdom. Next, in chapter 35, Laurie confesses his true feelings for Jo (which was a mess) and he claims, “I can’t love anyone else, and I’ll never forget you, Jo, never! Never!” He further claims that Jo's lack of affection is due to subconscious feelings for Bhaer, which she firmly states is untrue. I do not think that Jo, overall, felt accomplished with her choices; she loves Laurie, just not in the way he loves her. Jo pictured growing old with Laurie still by her side as a best friend, but after this altercation Laurie claimed he would never recover; and so he left. This was heartbreaking to Jo because she had lost her best friend.
Chapter 35 -“I can’t love anyone else, and I’ll never forget you, Jo, never! Never!” with a stamp to emphasize his passionate words.
“What shall I do with him?” sighed Jo, finding that emotions were more unmanageable than she expected. “You haven’t heard what I wanted to tell you. Sit down and listen, for indeed I want to do right and make you happy,” she said, hoping to soothe him with a little reason, which proved that she knew nothing about love.
What do all of these quotes have in common? Do you think that there is some validity to them? Do you think Jo got what she wanted by the [almost] end of the novel?
First, in chapter 34, Jo finds friendship with an older professor, Friedrich Bhaer, who is defined to be “truth, reverence, and goodwill.” Bhaer is very wise, and Jo finds comfort in his wisdom. Next, in chapter 35, Laurie confesses his true feelings for Jo (which was a mess) and he claims, “I can’t love anyone else, and I’ll never forget you, Jo, never! Never!” He further claims that Jo's lack of affection is due to subconscious feelings for Bhaer, which she firmly states is untrue. I do not think that Jo, overall, felt accomplished with her choices; she loves Laurie, just not in the way he loves her. Jo pictured growing old with Laurie still by her side as a best friend, but after this altercation Laurie claimed he would never recover; and so he left. This was heartbreaking to Jo because she had lost her best friend.
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I think this movie was my favorite of the two adaptations; I loved the heartwarming moments. I definitely shed more tears watching this adaptation.
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I loved this well thought out movie mostly because of the real experiences shown with the author. How she did not actually marry Professor Baer but the novel would not get published unless the main character was accompanied by a man.