Little Women RAL Part Three Discussion Questions: Chapters 34 to End

Well, good thing we had a RAL this month so I could at least finish one book! Another fun experience, co-hosting this thing! Thanks to everyone who participated! I had fun re-reading the book and thinking about it a little more deeply than I have in previous readings.

Jenni posted questions for this third part of the book over at her blog here. Here are my thoughts:

What do you think about the girls now? Has your opinion of them changed since the beginning or even the middle of the story?

I mean, I like them all. I've liked seeing Amy change and grow up. Meg bugged me a little with how she handles being a mom and her husband and stuff. Jo... I just wish she wouldn't be so... stubborn or something. But yeah, it's fun to see them all as older people.

At the end of the book, which character do you relate to most? Is it a different character than at the beginning?

I really can't decide who I relate to the most. I guess Meg's life is most like mine, so I'd probably say her. 

Do you think Beth should’ve died when and in the way she did?

I'm glad she stuck around for awhile and didn't die right at first when she got sick. She was able to see the babies and all. But still. Her's is a sad story.

How do you feel about Laurie’s romantic decisions? Did his relationship with Amy seem developed enough to be sincere?

I think it COULD have been, but it was a bit rushed. I don't blame him for looking toward Amy to get consoled though. But he did and I think he was surprised himself that it worked.

How do you feel about Jo’s romantic decisions? Do you think they were consistent with her character?

Ah, Jo. Jo Jo Jo! Why? I have no idea if what she did is consistent with her character. I just don't know. I mean, the professor seems to be good for her, but really, Would Laurie not have been too? 

What do you think about the names the girls and their husbands gave to their children?

Weird. Especially Jo naming one of her's Teddy. What's with that?

If this was your first time reading Little Women, what do you think? Did it meet your expectations? Would you read it again? If this was a reread, do you feel the same as you did when you read it the first time? Or, has your opinion changed?

On this re-re-read I noticed the gender things much more... and all the old fashioned ideas and LMA seeming to try too hard to counter all that. I felt cringy in a few places. But I still love the over all feeling of the story, the feeling of family and home and togetherness.

Do you have a favorite quote or passage from Little Women?

There's lots but I only highlighted a few. Here's one that I especially like:

"People who hire all these things done for them never know what they lose, for the homeliest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them."

Would you change anything about the story if you could? If so, what?

I just would like to see how things would be if Jo and Laurie ended up together. I mean, you know. Let's just try it that way once and see what happens, yes? And maybe while we are at it, let's let Beth live and be the nice aunt that helps everyone. 

Even though the setting for Little Women is quite different from today’s world, do you think we can learn anything from this story? If so, what?

Oh, we can learn tons. So many little nuggets of truth and wisdom. And how family and good friends connections are the thing.

Thanks everyone for participating in our latest effort at a RAL. I'm sure we'll do another one some day! So stay tuned!

Remember we'll be watching the movie tomorrow at 7:00 pm Mountain. Join us on Twitter using #LittleWomenRAL and watch along with us!

Little Women RAL Discussion Part Two: Chapters 18 to 33

We are two thirds through the book and the read along! Wow! I've gotten a bit behind during this section with much happening in my real life, but here's a stab at answering the questions posed by Kami over at Kami's Library Thoughts.

Chapters 18 - 33 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.

Gah I can never think of these especially when all I see in my head are the actors from the movie we plan to watch! I think I'll pass on this one and just be curious about what everyone else comes up with!

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

I think it's sweet and romantic. I like it. I do! And their ups and downs after marriage... totally normal.

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

A little over the top and a bit of an overreaction, more like what a mom might be thinking instead of a sister. 

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

No, not really. It's fun to see them grow, but they all have the same feeling about them. I think Amy has changed the most for sure and I have trouble turning her from a little girl into teenager/woman.  That has always thrown me off a bit. 

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

Mr. March seems to be a nice quite sort of man, and yet with the power to lead his family. I like him. Professor Bhaer seems very nice and sweet and is obviously intriguing to Jo... though sheesh... too old for her! :)

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

Yes, because it's true that Jo is a  poop about many things and it turns around to bite her few times, like this. And with Amy's desire to draw it seems she'd get more out of the trip anyway. I don't know.. maybe they should have asked to take BOTH girls along!

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?

I like the time period, and it's never really bothered me that they don't talk about the war much because, besides their dad being gone, it isn't affecting their life that much. Thus, we don't hear much about it. It isn't part of this particular 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?

What we should do is read a LMA biography. That would be interesting to compare. I don't know how accurate it is, but I have a feeling it's pretty close to how it was.

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

Part Two wasn't in the original book? Then probably she added it because all the readers were dying to know what happens next! And how it all turned out!

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

I think the one we plan to watch, the 1994 one, is the only one I've seen. I really should watch one of the others sometime so I could actually answer this question!

And now.. let's finish this book!

Little Women Read Along Part One: Chapters 1 to 17 Summary and Questions

We are ten days into our read along and hopefully those of you participating have been able to read up through chapter 17. Here's a little summary of what's happened so far in the lives of our little women:

• We've met the four girls and have quickly learned their characters and personalities. 
• We've met the neighbor boy, Laurie, and his grandfather, and his tutor, Mr. Brooke.
• We've learned that Mr. March is off fighting in the war. Toward the end of our reading, he gets sick and Mrs. March leaves to tend him.
• We've learned that Mrs. March appears to have never ending patience with the four girls and teaches them wonderful life lessons as they experience different things.
• We've gone on a vacation with Meg, hobnobbing with friends that aren't really that great of friends, we've gone to a New Year's Eve party with Meg, Jo and Laurie wherein Jo dances with Laurie in the hallway and Meg sprains her ankle, we've gone on a picnic and croquet adventure with Laurie and his friends from England, we've experienced the imagination of the girls as they make up plays, write newspapers and conduct a private club, we've rejoiced with Beth when she gets a piano from Mr. Laurence, we've moaned with Jo when she discovers Amy has burned her story, and we've laughed with everyone when Jo tried to have a dinner party that was very unsuccessful.
• We are noticing, along with Laurie and Jo, that there seems to be something up with Meg and Mr. Brooke.
• We are also wondering ourselves if there is something up with Laurie and Jo, but if there is, Jo is in extreme denial still.
• The segment ends just when we begin to feel anxiety over Beth, who appears to have contracted scarlet fever from the family they've been looking after. Drat.

I hope you are all enjoying your first visit with this family or your repeat visit, as the case may be. I know I am!  Here are a few questions I've thought up:

1. What's your opinions so far about each of the girls? Do you identify more with one or the other of them? Do you like them, or do they get on your nerves in a way? Which one do you think would be your friend?
2. What do you think of Mrs. March aka. Marmee? What's one of your favorite pieces of advice or lessons she's taught the girls so far?
3. Do you think that the characterization of these girls and this family is realistic? Explain.
4. What's your favorite scene or incident so far? And why?
5. If this is your second (or third etc.) time reading this story, what stands out to you this time?
6. If this is your first time reading this story, is it meeting your expectations? Or is it different than expected? Explain.
7. How do you feel about Jo cutting off her hair? Was this incident surprising to you? Do you think it's symbolic of anything?
8. What's your feeling about the inclusion of poems, letters, stories, plays and etc. into the story? 
9. Any thoughts in particular on the male characters in this story?
10. Are you liking this reading experience? If yes, why? If not, why?

Feel free to add any other random thoughts of course! Here are my answers:

1. I thought I would identify with Meg the most, but I didn't remember how obnoxious and annoying she is... not to say that I'm not those those, but I don't THINK I am! I've always thought of her like Jane in Pride and Prejudice,but no. She is not. And perhaps I'm a little like Jo in some aspects, but in others not at all. I'm nothing like Beth or Amy, I don't think anyway. And yes, I do find them annoying often... they are too sweet, too agreeable, too nice, too accommodating... even with their faults. Even in the day,  I don't think kids were this perfect. 
2. I like Mrs. March, though I also find her to be a little too nice and sweet and unruffled by anything at all. By far, my favorite lesson she's given them was the week of no work. And then when she went away for the day too. How often do we as moms threaten to do just such a thing? 
3. I sort of answered this already. I think the picture this paints of a family is a bit on the rosy side, you know? I mean, I'm sure they were happy and imaginative, but still...
4. Um so many! But you know what I really love, is the whole post office idea and how they find so  many fun things to exchange, even though they are all together. I think it's the first form of social media! :)
5. I'm surprised at how obnoxious Meg is... I'm surprised that Laurie is dark with curly hair, I'm surprised at how accommodating these girls are.
6. I remember not really liking this book when I read it the first, confession.
7. I'd forgotten that part and it bums me out! She is crazy! 
8. I like the letters.. the poems are okay, the stories are a little long and the plays I'm not a big fan of.
9. I love Laurie and his grandpa. I wish we could get to know Mr. Brooke better. 
10. Yes!

That's about all I have to say. And I think it's enough. Now... your turn! Write your thoughts, answer the questions and etc. and link up your post here:

And don't forget... we'll chat today on Twitter at 5 pm Mountain time! #LittleWomenRAL! See you there!

Little Women Read Along Kick Off

Welcome to our Little Women Read Along! Let's start this thing, yes?

Thanks to all of those who have signed up to participate. If you'd still like to join us, there's plenty of time, just let us know by linking up on this post.

Here are the plans for the month:

READING SCHEDULE with DISCUSSION QUESTION POSTS

Questions will be posted on the date listed... feel free to answer the questions on your blog that day or in the days following. A link will be provided so we can all easily find participants.

Read chapters 1-17 by February 1-10 with the discussion post Feb. 10 on Suey's blog
Read chapters 18-33 by February 11-19 with the discussion post Feb. 19 on Kami's blog

Read chapters 34-47 by February 20-29 with the discussion post Feb. 29 on Jenni's blog

TWITTER CHATS

We'll be using Twitter for an ongoing discussion. Many of us like to post quotes and thoughts in real time as we read. Please feel free to do the same. Follow with #LittleWomenRAL and join in the discussion...give comments and feedback as you read! (We've created a Twitter list with all the participants which will also make it easier to follow everyone and see what we're saying. Be sure your'e on the list!)

We will also have scheduled chats in conjunction with each discussion post as follows:

Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 5:00 pm Mountain (Take note! This has been bumped a couple hours earlier from our original post.)
Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:00 pm Mountain
Monday, Feb. 29 at 7:00 pm Mountain

The best way to follow a  Twitter chat is to use a program like Tweetdeck, Twubs, or TweetChat in order to isolate that particular hashtag. Let us know if you have more questions about that! 

MOVIE WATCH ALONG

We love to end our read alongs by watching the movie together! If you are local, join us! If you aren't, you can still watch and join us on Twitter.  We plan to do this on Friday, March 4 starting at 7:00 p.m. Right now, we plan to watch the Winona Ryder/Christian Bale version.

Oh, we also have a Pinterest board dedicated to the read along. Check it out if you are into that sort of thing!

And so... what are you waiting for? Get reading!

Join Us for a Little Women Read Along in February

Is this a book you've thought about reading forever but have just never managed it? NOW IS THE TIME!

Is it one of your favorites and you never pass up a chance to read it again? NOW IS THE TIME!

We had so much fun hosting some read alongs last year that we are doing it again! NOW IS THE TIME to join Jenni, Kami and me and read Little Women with us this February!

Here's the schedule:

Chapters 1-17 from February 1-10: Discussion post Feb. 10 on Suey's blog
(Twitter chat Feb. 10 at 7:00 pm Mountain.)

Chapters 18-33 from February 11-19: Discussion post Feb. 19 on Kami's blog
(Twitter Chat: Feb. 19 at 7:00 pm Mountain.)
Chapters 34-49 from February 20-29: Discussion post on Feb. 29 on Jenni's blog
(Twitter Chat: Feb. 29 at 7:00 pm Mountain.)

Movie watching: March 4 or 5: We'll let you know what day and what time as it gets closer.

We'll be chatting and tweeting throughout the month using the hashtag #LittleWomenRAL. Please, let us know what you think as you read! That's always so fun, the impromptu discussions!

We'd love to have you join us! Let us know if you are interested by linking up here. (It would be awesome if you did a post on your blog to spread the word and link up that post!)