Kami at Kami's Library Thoughts is hosting the discussion questions for today's read along. Head over and grab the questions and see what she has to say about our reading so far.
Here are my answers:
Chapters 18 - 33 Discussion Questions:
1. What would be your dream cast for the March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy), Marmee, Laurie, and whoever else you'd like to cast. Honestly I am just not good at picturing people in particular rolls. My brain just doesn't think that way. Plus I don't keep up with all of the "latest and greatest" or who the "it" people are of the moment. I don't watch a lot of TV or movies so I really have no idea who I would cast. I am perfectly content to let others have this pleasure. :)
2. How do you feel about Meg and Mr. Brooke's relationship? Seems fitting for the times. I didn't think Meg was into Mr. Brooke at first, but she sure changed her tune quickly. Their tiff when he brought a guest home for dinner and Meg had the jelly fiasco made me laugh. Both expecting the other to apologize. I think all married couples have had those moments where one has to give in in order to smooth things over and thaw the atmosphere of the home.
3. How do you feel about Jo's reaction to Meg getting married? Poor Jo, wants everything to remain the same, yet she wants her sisters to be happy. I think there is always a sadness for the sisters left behind at home when a sibling marries. Jo adjusted just fine.
4. The girls are growing up and changing, do you feel differently towards them now than you did at the beginning? Naw, I think they have all carried the teachings of their mother with them into their adulthood.
5. Two important men were introduced in these chapters. What are your impressions of Mr. March and Professor Bhaer? Mr. March doesn't seem to be in the story much. Kind of a background character. I'm liking Professor Bhaer but I guess didn't realize how much older he was than Jo. Plus that she thought him not that good looking. ha!
6. Do you think it was fair that Amy got to go to Europe instead of Jo? I actually do think it was fair. Wasn't Amy the one that had taken over taking care of the Aunt instead of Jo? Plus really Jo's mouth did get her into trouble that time so it came back to bite her in the butt.
7. What are your thoughts on the time period and setting of the book? Do you like it? Why do you think a very important historical event like the Civil War is hardly mentioned in the story? I've been thinking of this actually. I guess I never realized that it was set during that time in history and from seeing movies and reading books such as Gone With The Wind I would be expecting more of the reconstruction and history of the times, but I guess Louisa May Alcott was more interested in the characters than the era. I like that too :)
8. Louisa May Alcott supposedly patterned the March sisters after herself and her own sisters. How accurate do you think she portrayed her family? Do you think a lot of the book is an idealized version of her and her sisters? I guess I would have to read a biography of LMA in order to make a judgment on this question. I have no idea what her life was like so cannot compare.
9. Why do you think Louisa May Alcott later added Part 2 to the book? Maybe someone read it and wanted to know how the March family story turned out so she added on? Or was it two stories and she combined the two eventually? In that case maybe it was a publishing decision?
10. What is your favorite adaptation of Little Women and why? Are we talking movie or books? I haven't read it but twice and cannot even remember what the book looked like years ago when I read it for the first time. As for movies I think the only one I've actually seen is the 1949 version with June Allyson, Peter Lawford and Elizabeth Taylor. I'm looking forward to the watch along of the 1994 version :)
I'm enjoying this read along, but once again whew the chapters are long! I just finished up the reading for this section this morning. Have you read Little Women? Feel free to answer the questions or leave a comment of your thoughts on the story.
Nice post, Julie! Totally agree with you on #3. Growing up is tough, especially when it feels like you're being left behind. I've never seen the 1949 version, but it sounds interesting and I'd like to watch it some time.
ReplyDeleteI'm horrible at dream casting books as well. I also thought that Meg and Mr. Brooke's experiences were funny and true to life. Great answers!
ReplyDeleteThe 1949 movie is wonderful (abridged like all movies are, of course, but still wonderful. June Allyson is a great Jo). But so is Katherine Hepburn in the earlier movie if you can find that one too.
ReplyDeleteThere was also a tv series in the 70's starring 'Jan Brady' which I recall enjoying at the time as it was less abridged than the movie versions. I seem to remember that the European scenes with Amy were particular good.
I think I've seen the 1949 version a long time ago. I love June Allyson and Peter Lawford. Elizabeth Taylor was in it too? I'd forgotten that.
ReplyDeleteI agree that LMA focused more on character than setting, and maybe she just didn't want to think about the awful events of the Civil War. You'd think it would have affected the family more though.
Thanks for participating! I'm excited for the watch along as well! I haven't watched the movie for a long time.
The edition I'm reading has pictures of all the different actresses who have played the March sisters over the years. It's quite interesting to see; I had no idea Elizabeth Taylor ever played in an adaption. For me, Wynona Rider will always be Jo (probably because that one's the only movie version I've seen).
ReplyDeleteI've also seen the 1949 version, but it was very long ago. I don't remember it much at all. This is my first time reading the book, so it's all kind of new to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm always terrible at dream casting a story. So I totally understand! I will also agree that there were bits that the story did get somewhat boring. But overall it had sweet enough characters to hold my attention! (Also yes, the chapters ARE long, aren't they? I noticed that too.)
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