CPB: Little Women Chp. 22-34

During the "Pleasant Meadows" chapter, after Mr. Brooke's return to his home and family, he gives a speech to each of his daughters in turn about the changes he sees in them as a result of the time they spent in his absence. This section of the book seems to be a capstone for the first part of the novel, showing how each of the young women have grown and developed from their experiences and life lessons.

To Meg, he compliments the state of her roughened hands whereas he "remembered a time a time when her hand was white and smooth, and her first care was to keep it so" (222). This reflects back to the beginning of the novel when Meg was always examining the wealth of people around her and trying to refine herself so that she would resemble a member of their crowd. She has come a long way from that pristine and posh mindset. Unfortunately, her behavior does not change permanently, although it has improved. After her marriage with Mr. Brooke in Part 2, her jealousy for other people's material possessions returns when she sees her friend Sally's purchases and tries to elevate her own to match. She knows that she is living beyond her means, but she can't help but give into temptation.

Mr. Brooke tells Jo that she has turned into a more feminine type of behavior and that he sees it an improvement. Perhaps that was naturally thinking for the Victorian age, but I can see how it could grate against a lot of feminist minds today. The fact that it was better for Jo to shed her tomboy-ish ways suggests that female readers should do the same, seeing as readers could take Mr. Brooke's lectures as lessons for themselves. Although Jo takes his praise well, she never completely sheds her ways.

He says little to Beth, but the most important of his words seems to be that she is "not as shy as she used to be" (223).

Amy has become more humble and works more for the family without complaint, which is a true accomplishment for any young child. To note here is the returning subject of Aunt March's ring, which was giving to her according to the lady's will. I have a feeling that this will be an important object for future reference.

Now, to show that chapter 22 was not the only chapter that I read out of this batch, I wanted to quote the book from the "Artistic Attempts" chapter, when Marmee reflects that "experience was an excellent teacher, and, when it was possible, she left her children to learn alone the lessons which she would gladly have made easier" (259). I definitely agree to this version of parenting and in life in general. If someone doesn't listen to good advice the first time around, then dealing with the consequences of their actions will definitely pound the lesson into their heads! Amy hopefully paid attention to this after her party was a bust.