Background Information/Vocabulary:
- "posy" and "nosegay" (p. 122)--both words mean a small bunch of flowers
- "water bug" (p. 126)--from the context, I assume this refers to one of those skittery little bugs that goes across the top of the water, not to a cockroach (I had never heard "water bug" for cockroach until I moved to New York City.)
My Noticings:
- I can't say that I love the characterization of Frank Vaughn, the twin who uses a crutch, as "gentle and feeble" but I suppose disability politics were not what they are now. (Also, in the same sentence on p. 126, he is described as the "lame" twin; while this usage has pretty much disappeared, this is why I made the attempt to stop calling things I didn't like "lame" when it was pointed out to me that it used to refer to people with physical disabilities. Just something to be aware of.)
- This story they all tell as a group may be a fascinating exercise in characterization but I've always thought that this is the kind of game that's only fun if you're playing it; hearing about it later or reading a transcript is a bit of a slog.
This chapter really builds on the ones that precede it--we see the P.O. in action; Jo gets a note from Marmee about her quest to conquer her temper, Laurie makes fun of Jo's disastrous dinner party but we also see that Jo has learned a thing or two since then, and we see how Ned Moffat feels about Meg after her appearance at his family's party. It also sets up Mr. Brooke, who becomes a much more important character going forward.
Question for readers:
When the game Truth is proposed--a game which requires the players to be completely open and honest about any question asked of them--"Miss Kate and Mr. Brooke, Meg, and Ned declined." Why do you think these four characters opted out? What have you seen in this chapter that could provide clues?
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