Chapter 1: Playing Pilgrims

🏰The March sisters emulate the noble quest of the allegorical text, 'The Pilgrim's Progress', in their own lives.

💰Money and sacrifice are important themes in the chapter, as the girls choose to spend their money on their mother instead of themselves.

🎭Each of the March sisters has a unique talent or interest: Meg is pretty, Jo is a bookworm and a tomboy, Beth loves music, and Amy is a budding artist.

🎄The chapter includes a Christmas breakfast for the poor Hummel family and a play performed by the March girls on Christmas night.

👧👦Jo immediately becomes friends with Laurie, the Lawrence boy, and learns that he has been abroad and is preparing for college.

What is the chapter about?

—The chapter, 'Playing Pilgrims', introduces the March sisters, who are living in poverty while their father is away serving in the American Civil War. It establishes their relationships and sets the stage for the themes of sacrifice and self-improvement.

What are the main themes in this chapter?

—The main themes in this chapter are sacrifice, self-improvement, and the value of family. The March sisters choose to spend their money on their mother instead of themselves, and they strive to improve themselves to make their father proud.

What are the unique talents or interests of each March sister?

—Meg is very pretty, Jo is a bookworm and a tomboy who loves writing and directing plays, Beth loves music and can play the piano, and Amy is a budding artist and mindful of her manners.

What happens during Christmas in the chapter?

—The March girls give their Christmas breakfast to the poor Hummel family and perform a play on Christmas night. They also receive sweets and flowers from their neighbor, Mr. Lawrence, as a reward for their charity.

Who is Laurie and what is his role in the chapter?

—Laurie, whose full name is Theodore Lawrence, is an old family friend of the Marches. He is handsome, gentlemanly, and studying at home in preparation for college. He becomes friends with Jo and helps the March girls when Meg sprains her ankle.

00:01[Music] - The chapter begins with background music.

00:10Part one chapter one of 'Little Women' is called 'Playing Pilgrims'.

00:12The chapter introduces the March sisters, Amy, Beth, Jo, and Meg, who are living in poverty while their father is away serving in the American Civil War.

00:20Each of the March sisters has a unique talent or interest: Meg is pretty, Jo is a bookworm and a tomboy who loves writing and directing plays, Beth loves music, and Amy is a budding artist.

00:26The girls decide to spend their money on their mother instead of themselves to make their father proud when he returns.

00:32The chapter includes a Christmas breakfast for the poor Hummel family and a play performed by the March girls on Christmas night.

00:48The girls receive a letter from their father, motivating them to improve themselves.

01:00Laurie, the Lawrence boy, becomes friends with Jo and helps the March girls when Meg sprains her ankle.