Little Women offers a wealth of opportunities for engaging discussions. Groups will likely enjoy comparing contemporary standards of behavior, often highlighted in media and literature, with the nineteenth-century moral life portrayed by Alcott. Those particularly interested in women's issues may find Little Women a fascinating novel to analyze. A compelling angle is examining to what extent readers agree with critics who detect subversive feminist elements within the novel's depiction of domestic values and women's self-sacrificing virtues. The novel can also be discussed alongside a reading of Behind a Mask (1866) or another of Alcott's thrillers. Drawing heavily from Alcott's personal experiences, Little Women serves as a rich source of historical information on children's play, child-rearing practices, household activities, family entertainment, fashion, work outside the home, patriotic and social attitudes, and the treatment of the needy. Combined with its sequels, the novel offers a springboard for exploring the era following the Civil War. Groups might also consider reading Little Men or Jo's Boys to evaluate whether and how Alcott's approach to feminism evolved after Little Women, or to understand her views on education.

1. Do you find Alcott's choice of title suggestive? Does it imply a belittling of women, as some critics believe?

2. There is general agreement that readers identify most with the character Jo. Do you relate most to her? If so, explain why. If not, justify your preference for Meg, Beth, or Amy.

3. Some critics highlight the universal quality of home life conveyed through Alcott's depiction of the March household. Do you believe these depictions represent your home life or that of most people?

4. Why does Alcott marry Jo to Professor Bhaer? Would Laurie have been a better match for Amy? Compare the two men.

5. What is your opinion of Marmee's advice to Meg regarding husband-wife cooperation?

6. What do you think of Alcott's approach to addressing the problem of society's poor? Is there social snobbery in the Marches' treatment of the Hummels, or in old Mr. Laurence's gift to a hungry woman of a fish on the end of his cane?

7. Considering the novel's overt moralizing and "old-fashioned" values, as noted by many critics, what might be the reasons for its enduring popularity among both young readers and adults?

8. Little Women has sometimes been criticized for its weak plot and lack of unity due to Alcott's episodic technique. Do you agree with these critics?

9. Is Marmee the ideal mother? Discuss her character in relation to that of Mr. March.

10. Reflect on the conclusion of the novel in light of Chapter 13, entitled "Castles in the Air." How close did each character come to achieving their dreams? Are they better off with the way things turned out?

Marilyn A. Perlberg