Little Women Summary: Plot, Characters and Ending
Little Women follows the four March sisters growing up in Massachusetts during and after the American Civil War: responsible Meg, fiery tomboy Jo, shy Beth and artistic Amy. With their wise mother Marmee and their rich neighbor Laurie, they face poverty, love, ambition and loss.
The book was first published in two parts; the second is sometimes known as Good Wives.
| Character | Who they are |
|---|---|
| Meg March | Eldest, gentle and practical |
| Jo March | Bold, bookish aspiring writer |
| Beth March | Shy, kind, musical |
| Amy March | Youngest, artistic and a little vain |
| Marmee | Their loving, wise mother |
| Laurie (Theodore Laurence) | Charming boy next door |
| Mr. Laurence | Laurie's wealthy grandfather |
| John Brooke | Laurie's tutor |
| Friedrich Bhaer | German professor Jo meets in New York |
How does the story begin?
With their father away serving with the Union army, the sisters face a poor Christmas. They give their breakfast to a poor family, the Hummels. They become friends with lonely Laurie next door, and his grandfather gives Beth a piano. Amy, angry at being left behind, burns Jo's manuscript, and Jo forgives her only after Amy falls through the ice while skating.
↑ Back to the topWhat happens to Beth?
Their father falls ill in Washington and Marmee goes to nurse him. Beth visits the Hummels, whose baby dies of scarlet fever, and she catches it. She recovers, but her health is never strong again. Meanwhile Meg falls in love with Laurie's tutor, John Brooke, and accepts his proposal.
↑ Back to the topDoes Jo marry Laurie?
Meg marries John and starts a family. Laurie has long loved Jo and proposes, but Jo, who loves him only as a friend, refuses. She goes to New York to work as a governess and write stories, and there meets Professor Bhaer, who encourages her to write honestly rather than for sensational magazines. Amy travels to Europe with her aunt, where she meets Laurie again.
↑ Back to the topHow does Beth die?
Jo comes home to care for Beth, who is fading. Beth accepts that she will not live long and dies peacefully in the spring. The family is heartbroken, and Jo finds comfort in taking up Beth's quiet household duties and in writing.
↑ Back to the topHow does Little Women end?
In Europe, Laurie and Amy fall in love and marry. Professor Bhaer visits Jo, and under an umbrella in the rain he proposes and she accepts. Aunt March leaves Jo her house, Plumfield, and Jo and Bhaer turn it into a school for boys. Years later the family gathers there for Marmee's birthday, with children all around, and Marmee says she could wish for no greater happiness.
↑ Back to the topMore about Little Women
This summary reveals the whole plot, including the ending.