Chapters 34-35

NOTE: Page numbers refer to the Barnes & Noble Classics paperback edition.

Background Information/Vocabulary:

• "banditti" (p. 339)--plural of "bandit" (another word for robber); "bandit" is from the Italian "bandito" (which meant "banned", like an outlaw), which I guess is why it can be pluralized "banditti" (Fun fact: the singular form of "grafitti" is "grafitto!")  I've also, more commonly, seen "bandits" as the plural of "bandit."

• "jew's harp" (p. 350)--a small musical instrument played by placing one end in the mouth and then plucking the other end.  I can't find out why it's called that, though there are lots of theories, but you can hear one here.

 My Noticings: 

•   Mr. Dashwood's assertion that "morals don't sell these days" is, as the narrator points out, certainly untrue: the book we're reading at this very moment is proof of that, as this second half wouldn't have been written if the first half didn't sell, and Little Women is nothing but morals!

• This passage about how writing sensationalistic stories was eroding Jo's womanhood or femininity or something really strikes an odd note today; Alcott is so progressive for her time that it's odd to see her apparently endorse an opinion that seems so conservative today.    

Final Thoughts: 

Aside from Laurie's assertion that he had to propose outright because women can't be trusted otherwise (ew) this is actually a really lovely section.  We get to know Professor Bhaer a bit more and see how much he cares for Jo, which makes it a little easier for the reader to understand how Jo can turn down Laurie (even if she doesn't yet know why she's doing it!)  That last line is heartbreaking--and true.  This could almost be the end of a second section of the book, and if it was Laurie's book, it would be.

Question for readers:

If you were Laurie, would you have proposed?  If you were Jo, would you have accepted?  Why?