Little Women Read Along Discussion #2

Today we're discussing chapters 18-33 of Little Women. Today's discussion questions were written by Kami.

Discussion Questions:

1.    What would be your dream cast for the March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy), Marmee, Laurie, and whoever else you'd like to cast.

2.    How do you feel about Meg and Mr. Brooke's relationship?

3.    How do you feel about Jo's reaction to Meg getting married?

4.    The girls are growing up and changing, do you feel differently towards them now than you did at the beginning?

5.    Two important men were introduced in these chapters. What are your impressions of Mr. March and Professor Bhaer?

6.    Do you think it was fair that Amy got to go to Europe instead of Jo?

7.    What are your thoughts on the time period and setting of the book? Do you like it? Why do you think a very important historical event like the Civil War is hardly mentioned in the story?

8.    Louisa May Alcott supposedly patterned the March sisters after herself and her own sisters. How accurate do you think she portrayed her family? Do you think a lot of the book is an idealized version of her and her sisters?

9.    Why do you think Louisa May Alcott later added Part 2 to the book?

10.    What is your favorite adaptation of Little Women and why?

My Answers:

1: I actually really like the cast from the 1994 version. I think all of them did a very good job and really wouldn't change it. I never would have pegged those actors for Little Women, but they all did a really great job. (I know many people aren't too keen on Christian Bale as Laurie because Laurie is described as half Italian, but come on, it's Christian Bale! Haha!)

2: At first I just wasn't too sure about Mr. Brooke. He seemed a bit too old for Meg, but I think after they were married I started to see him as the right kind of guy for who Meg is.

3: I can relate. I didn't have sisters growing up, but I had a cousin I was quite close to that was a few years older than me. When she started dating and eventually married, it was hard because it meant we were growing up and things couldn't be the same as when were younger.

4: Yes, I think especially Meg and Amy. Both seemed to grow up and focus on more important things the further the book went. For Jo, especially with Beth's illness, and when she's getting to know Mr. Bhaer, we see more of her soft side. Beth is still the same sweet and wise person she always was.

5: I feel like we don't see a whole lot of Mr. March, but the bits we do see he seems like a nice dad. I like Mr. Bhaer. True, he's no Laurie, but he seems like a nice guy and encourages Jo in the right ways.

6: At first I would say no, because Jo had been dreaming of Europe all her life. But later, we see that it really is for the best, for more than one reason.

7: I like the setting, but it's true that the war isn't an integral part of this story. I think it's because the book is more about the lives of the March sisters and the lessons they learn.

8: From what I've read, I think it stays pretty true to Louisa's life with her sisters. I know there are some differences, but I think she had troubles with her sisters and loved her sisters just the way the March's do. It's likely that it was idealized, but I think a lot of the basics remain true.

9: I think she added it so we would know what happened! Big things happen in part two and it really rounds out the story.

10: The 1994 version, for sure. Several years ago, before I even knew there were film adaptations of the book, I found a copy of the miniseries that aired in the 1970's at Walmart. I liked it when I first watched it. But then last Christmas I received the 1994 version as a gift and it is so much better. The look of the film is much better, the actors did a fantastic job, they're all believable as their respective parts (meaning they look similar to how they're described and they're around the same age as their characters) and it's just so much better. And now that 70s version just seems so silly! The acting was terrible. All the sisters had blue eyes and blonde hair and were much older than the March sisters. The guy playing Laurie was in his 30's and had light hair and blue eyes and wasn't dressed appropriately. The guy playing John Brooke gave me the creeps. It's just bad. Okay, rant over.

Favorite quotes from chapters 18-33:

"He that is down need fear no fall,

He that is low no pride.

He that is humble ever

Shall have God to be his guide." -Chapter 22

"You've got me, anyhow. I'm not good for much, I know, but I'll stand by you, Jo, all the days of my life." -Laurie, Chapter 23

"What can you expect when I have four gay girls in the house and a dashing young neighbor over the way?" -Marmee, Chapter 24

"....and life and love are very precious when both are in full bloom." Chapter 24

Other Thoughts:

I'm still loving this read along. I've gotten a bit ahead and am now in chapter 42, almost finished. I don't want it to end! But this has been a really fun experience and I'm glad I found out about this read along.