Chapter Four Introduction

But we mustn’t mourn, children! We have life to live, and burdens to take on, which is especially important now that Marmee is dead and Father is dead and we haven’t any other sources of income!

Here’s what, theoretically, will happen in this chapter.

Not-Meg and Jo start out by grumbling about the post-holiday blues. Every girl in this chapter is carrying on their “burdens,” meaning the things that are difficult in their lives that they must address to get by.

Jo spends her day caring for old Aunt March, while Not-Meg has a job being a nanny to a family with four children. Amy has to go to school, and Beth helps out around the house.

Everyone’s grumpy New Year’s Day, and all head out of the house in sour moods. Not-Meg and Jo chat sourly as they make their commutes. Alcott explains a little, blessedly, why the two girls are working when they’re still fairly young. We are introduced to the Kings, the people Not-Meg works for, and how jealous she is of their luxurious lives.

We meet Aunt March, who is “lame” and needs a young person to take care of her. She’s mean and crotchety, and Jo hates being there but gets to read from Aunt March’s extensive library on off times.

Beth stays at home because she is medically too shy to go to school, and occupies her time helping Hannah and living a rich inner life involving her dolls and imagination. We hear of her love for music, and how sad she is not to have lessons.

A peek into Amy’s life follows, mostly just examining her vanities and school-going in great detail.

The girls gather together by the fire in the evening to discuss their days. Jo discusses a trick she played on Aunt March, wherein she was able to get her to listen to one of the more exciting books in her library instead of the boring non-fiction tome she enjoyed.

Not-Meg tells about a spot of drama at the Kings, and Amy tells about a poor girl who was chastised at school. Beth tells about a poor woman she saw and a war veteran she met.

The girls reflect on all of their blessings, and the chapter ends with a story from…well not Marmee, I suppose, but someone!

Things to Look Out For: