Where "Little Women" Came From...

2. Where "Little Women" Came From... Thomas Niles, her publisher, asked her to write a book for girls. She drew from the experiences of her childhood for the novel: the plays she and her sister acted out as children; the sister who contracted scarlet fever from a poor family (she never fully recovered, and she died two years later); and other incidents from her early years. 

3. Little Women became a success, and Alcott was hailed as a major author. The first part of Little Women sold more than 2,000 copies, while the second part sold 13,000 copies. Based on her financial success from Little Women and its sequels, she was able to pay off all of her family's debts.

4. I nLittle Women, Marmee offers moral guidance and unconditional love to her girls: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. In this novel, which was published in two parts from 1868 and 1869, Louisa May Alcott drew from her own childhood experiences to dramatize the joys and sorrows of the March family. The sisters come of age, with the Civil War in the background. And, Marmee is always there for the girls--to oversee their antics, allay their fears, and heal their troubled heart.

5. Major Themes • Family and Marriage • Poverty • Work • Morality and Society • Independence and Women'sRights • Self-Improvement • Duty and Sacrifice • SelflessGenerosity • Literature and Language

7. Little Women Quiz 1 1. Which of the sisters likes to draw and is called “little Raphael?”  Beth  Jo  Meg  Amy

8. 2. When Meg and Jo go to Mrs. Gardiner's New Year's Ball, they have to share which item, because Jo spoiled hers? •  Meg's umbrella •  Meg's handkerchief •  Meg's gloves •  Meg's winter coat

9. 3. When Jo tries to curl Meg's hair for the New Year's party, instead she does what? •  Dyes it •  Frizzes it •  Flattens it •  Burns it off

10. 4. Who eats the March family's Christmas breakfast? •  The Hummels, a nearby German family •  Soldiers at the hospital on Boston •  Hannah's family •  Slaves on the underground railroad

11. 5. What is the March family tradition before going to bed? •  Taking cold baths •  Singing together •  Reading from The Bible •  Saying the Lord's Prayer

12. 6. Amy gets in trouble at school for having which items in her desk? •  Pickled limes •  Kittens •  Answer sheets to quizzes •  Drawings of Mr. Davis

13. 7. What is Laurie's first name? •  Robert •  John •  Laurence •  Theodore

14. 8. Whom does Beth remind Mr. Laurence of? •  His mother •  His sister •  His daughter-in-law, an Italian musician •  His granddaughter

15. 9. Why is the March family poor? •  They spend all their money on books •  They have no sons to help earn money •  Mr. March gambled too much and lost •  Mr. March lost his property helping a friend

16. 10. What does Aunt March call Jo, to Jo's dismay? •  Joanna •  Miss March • Josy-phine •  Girl