It was such a treat reading Little Women together during the holiday season. From our event with Ann Boyd Rioux, author of Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters to our virtual watch party of the 1994 film, I loved our celebration of this beloved story! See below for discussion questions on the second part of Little Women (originally published as Good Wives).
Discussion Questions:
1. This may be the most controversial Little Women question there is…do you think Jo and Laurie should have ended up together? Why or why not?
2. Did any aspects of how the sisters’ lives turned out surprise you?
3. What is your opinion of Mr. Bhaer?
4. Is there a difference between how you relate to the sisters during Part I vs. Part II?
5. Little Women was written specifically as a children’s book. Do you feel the novel appeals more to children or adults and why?
6. Feel free to share any other thoughts you have!
2. Did any aspects of how the sisters’ lives turned out surprise you?
3. What is your opinion of Mr. Bhaer?
4. Is there a difference between how you relate to the sisters during Part I vs. Part II?
5. Little Women was written specifically as a children’s book. Do you feel the novel appeals more to children or adults and why?
6. Feel free to share any other thoughts you have!
Ashley Pennington says
1. This may be the most controversial Little Women question there is…do you think Jo and Laurie should have ended up together? Why or why not? For me I was surprised they didn’t end up together. From the beginning it felt like they should have, but that could be the romantic in me wanting two childhood friends ending up together. It seemed Laurie their relationship more than Jo.
2. Did any aspects of how the sisters’ lives turned out surprise you? I was surprised Amy and Laurie ended up together, but he was meant to be in the family in some way.
3. What is your opinion of Mr. Bhaer?
4. Is there a difference between how you relate to the sisters during Part I vs. Part II?
5. Little Women was written specifically as a children’s book. Do you feel the novel appeals more to children or adults and why? I remember loving it as a child and I don’t remember why. I just loved the story. Reading it as an adult now I feel nostalgic for it, but I put myself more in Marmee’s place. I now have a big family of my own and my husband is in the military so as an adult I related to her more.
6. Feel free to share any other thoughts you have!
Megan says
1. Yes, I’m sad that Jo and Laurie don’t end up together, but ultimately I think it was best for them. They’re too much alike.
2. When I first read the book, I was shocked by Beth’s passing. But I wasn’t surprised by how Meg, Jo, and Amy’s lives turned out.
3. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of Mr. Bhaer, mostly because I wanted Jo and Laurie together. But now that I’m older and reading the story once again, I quite like his character and find that he is perfect for Jo.
4. There’s not much difference between Part I and Part II in how I relate to the sisters. I do get a little sad in Part II to see them all grow up.
5. I feel this story applies to both older children and adults for different reasons. I never had a sister growing up (aside from my very best friends). So to read about these sisters made it so special for me to imagine being a part of the March family. And now as an adult, it takes me back in time to those memories.