Plot Outline
3 years following events out of Little Women, Meg and John marry and you will know how to real time together with her. If they have twins, Meg is a dedicated mom but John begins to become forgotten and you may left out. Meg seeks guidance of Marmee, whom support this lady see harmony within her wedded life through more time to have wifely requirements and promising John becoming much more involved with child rearing.
Laurie students out-of school, having put in the work accomplish better inside the last seasons having Jo’s prompting. Amy is selected over Jo to take good European tour together brother. Beth’s wellness try weak because of challenge out of scarlet fever and you will the lady comfort was down. Initially she thinks it is with Beth, however, soon senses it’s that have herself. Jo confides from inside the Marmee, informing this lady one she likes Laurie for example a cousin and that she cannot love him inside an intimate ways.
Jo identifies she desires a little bit of excitement and to place point between by herself and you may Laurie, assured he’ll forget his feelings. She uses 6 months with a friend out of their mother exactly who runs a great boarding household from inside the Nyc, offering given that governess on her a couple youngsters. Jo requires German sessions that have various other boarder, Professor Bhaer. He’s got visited The united states regarding Berlin to care for brand new orphaned sons from his cousin. For additional currency, Jo writes salacious love stories anonymously to possess sensational push. Professor Bhaer candidates her magic and mentions such as for example creating is unprincipled and you can foot. Jo is convinced to give up that kind of composing because the the woman amount of time in New york stops. Whenever she production to Massachusetts, Laurie suggests relationships and you will she declines.
Laurie travel to help you European countries together with daddy to flee his heartbreak. In the home, Beth’s fitness enjoys definitely deteriorated. Jo devotes this lady time to this new proper care of her dying aunt. Laurie knowledge Amy inside European countries, and then he slower falls crazy about her as he initiate observe this lady within the a different white. She is unimpressed because of the aimless, sluggish, and you can forlorn attitude they have observed just like the are declined from the Jo, and you may motivates him to find their goal and you can do something worthwhile together with life. On information out of Beth’s demise, it see to possess consolation and their love grows. Amy’s sis cannot enable it to be Amy to go back unchaperoned having Laurie and his awesome dad, so they get married in advance of going back house away from Europe.
Teacher Bhaer is within Massachusetts for the business and you may visits the brand new Marches’ each day for a fortnight. Towards his past date, he proposes to Jo while the a couple of become engaged. Since Teacher is actually terrible, the marriage need hold off while he kits a income of the meeting western to teach. Annually passes with very little profits; afterwards Sis March becomes deceased and you can actually leaves the lady large estate Plumfield in order to Jo. Jo and you may Bhaer wed and be our home into the a college for people. They have a couple of sons of one’s own, and Amy and you will Laurie have a child. Within fruit-selecting go out, Marmee remembers her 60th birthday from the Plumfield, along with her partner, the lady around three surviving daughters, the husbands, along with her five grandkids.
Reaction
A good Spouses predecessor, Absolutely nothing Females received an overwhelmingly positive reception. Following its book, many people composed so you’re able to Alcott asking their “just who the small lady wed”. That have additional salesmanship off the woman author, Alcott decided to composed a follow up. not, centered on literary critic Anne E. Boyd, she “including struggled the standard relationships spot”. Alcott did not have Jo undertake Laurie’s hand in wedding; rather, whenever she install to have Jo so you’re able to marry, she portrayed an unusual guy because the this lady partner. Literary critic Sicherman says that Alcott used Friedrich Bhaer so you can “subvert teenage romantic beliefs”, when he is much more mature and you may relatively unsuited to own Jo. Despite the strange possibilities when you look at the Jo’s spouse, An effective Wives achieved similar triumph to help you Absolutely nothing Lady.