Little Women: A Tale of Genteel Poverty

    By Cailey Co

    Little Women: A Tale of Genteel Poverty cover image

    01 May, 2024

    a painting of three women in a kitchen preparing food for a meal with a child on the table and a woman standing at the counter, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, kinkade

    Marmee, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy faced their first Christmas without their father. Marmee suggested they share their breakfast with the less fortunate, and the sisters agreed.

    a man and woman playing a piano in front of a house in the snow at night with a snow covered yard, american impressionism, a storybook illustration, Ernest William Christmas, official art

    Upon their return, they found a surprise dinner from Mr. Laurence. Grateful for his generosity, the two families became acquainted.

    two women in dresses playing a piano in a room with a window and a vase of flowers on the table, arts and crafts movement, a comic book panel, Anne Said, comic cover art

    Meg tutored, Jo wrote, Beth managed the house, and Amy attended school. Laurie, their neighbor, became a close friend, especially to Jo.

    a painting of three women sitting at a table in a room with a bookcase and a window with a view of the outside, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, storybook illustration

    Meg was invited to a dance, where she caught the interest of John Brooke, Laurie's tutor. Despite rumors, Meg's heart inclined towards John, not Laurie.

    a woman and children are playing a piano outside of a house with a group of people standing around it, american scene painting, a comic book panel, Anne Said, graphic novel

    News arrived that Mr. March was ill. Marmee had to leave for Washington, leaving the girls alone. Beth, having spent time with a poor family, contracted scarlet fever.

    a woman sitting at a piano in a room with a lot of pictures on the wall and a lamp, american scene painting, a comic book panel, Constance Copeman, official art

    Amy was sent to live with Aunt March, and Jo, having had scarlet fever, took care of Beth. After many days, Marmee was urgently called for.

    a family sitting on a couch in a living room with a piano and a painting of a man, woman, and child, american scene painting, a comic book panel, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    While in Washington, John Brooke confessed his love for Meg to her parents. They were pleased but felt Meg was too young to marry, so Brooke agreed to wait.

    a painting of a woman and a girl playing a piano in a living room with a man and a woman, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, Anne Said, official art

    Back home, Beth's health improved, but she never fully regained her strength. Brooke, waiting for Meg, decided to serve in the war. The March family's life continued amid joy and sorrow.

    Little Women: A Tale of Genteel Poverty

    AI Historical Stories