Study Questions &
Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. Why does Alcott
alternate between stories about each of the four March sisters throughout
Little Women?
2. Discuss the term “little women.”
What does the term say about the status of American women in the
1860s?
3. Discuss the role of the Civil War
in Little Women. Who goes to the war, and who wants to? Why does
Alcott deliberately put such a big war so far in the background of
her story?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. How does Jo represent the plight of the female artist
in the 1860s? Does Amy represent the plight
any differently? If so, how?
2. Discuss the similarities and differences between
Jo and Amy. How do these differences lead to Laurie’s love for Jo
but eventual marriage to Amy?
3. Why does Jo marry Professor Bhaer instead of Laurie?
4. Discuss the character of Beth, the most conforming
sister. Is her death at all symbolic?
5. Discuss the role of Mr. March. Why is he hardly present
in the novel?
6. What are the elements, if any, of transcendentalist
philosophy in Little Women?
7. Discuss the characters of Meg’s twins, Daisy and
Demi. How are the twins different from Jo and Laurie?
