PART ONE: CHAPTER TWENTY - ONE - Laurie Makes Mischief, and Jo Makes Peace Practice Quiz — Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: PART ONE: CHAPTER TWENTY - ONE - Laurie Makes Mischief, and Jo Makes Peace
What secret is Jo trying to keep from Laurie at the beginning of Chapter 21?
The secret that Mr. John Brooke has romantic feelings for Meg, which Mrs. March had told Jo about.
How does Laurie discover that the secret involves Meg and Mr. Brooke?
Through persistent wheedling, bribing, ridiculing, threatening, and scolding Jo until he satisfies himself that it concerns Meg and Mr. Brooke.
Why does Laurie feel motivated to play a prank on Meg?
He feels indignant that his own tutor, Mr. Brooke, did not take him into his confidence about his feelings for Meg, so Laurie devises the prank as retaliation.
What does the forged love letter from "Mr. Brooke" say to Meg?
It declares he can no longer restrain his passion, asks Meg to keep their love secret from her family, and says Mr. Laurence will help him find a good position so they can be together.
How does Meg respond to the fake love letter?
She writes back saying she is too young, does not wish to keep secrets from her mother, and that Brooke must speak to her father. She offers to be his friend but nothing more for a long while.
How is the prank discovered?
Meg receives a second letter from the real Mr. Brooke denying he ever wrote a love letter and blaming Jo for taking liberties with their names. Jo then identifies the handwriting as Laurie's.
What does Mrs. March initially suspect about Jo's involvement in the prank?
She suspects Jo had a hand in writing the fake letter, because Jo has played so many pranks in the past. Jo must swear her innocence before her mother believes her.
To whom does Jo compare Meg after hearing her prudent reply to the fake letter?
Caroline Percy, whom Jo calls "a pattern of prudence."
What happens when Laurie comes to the March house to apologize?
Mrs. March lectures him alone for half an hour. He emerges penitent, gives a humble apology to Meg, and assures her that Mr. Brooke knows nothing about the joke.
Why does Mr. Laurence become angry with Laurie after the prank?
Laurie refuses to explain why Mrs. March summoned him, having promised to keep the matter private. Mr. Laurence demands the full truth and, when denied, loses his temper and physically shakes Laurie.
Where does Laurie threaten to run away to, and why?
He threatens to run away to Washington to visit Brooke, because he is humiliated by his grandfather's treatment and wants Mr. Laurence to miss him and "come round fast enough."
Why is the mention of "running away" particularly painful for Mr. Laurence?
Because Laurie's own father had run away in his youth and married against Mr. Laurence's will. The old man remembers and regrets that painful family history.
What does Jo say when Laurie tempts her to run away to Washington together?
"If I was a boy, we'd run away together, and have a capital time, but as I'm a miserable girl, I must be proper and stop at home."
What strategy does Jo use to convince Mr. Laurence to apologize to Laurie?
She visits his study under the pretense of returning a book, explains that Laurie kept silent out of honor rather than obstinacy, and suggests writing a formal apology note, appealing to the gentleman's sense of fairness.
What does Mr. Laurence call Jo after she manages both him and Laurie?
He calls her a "sly puss" but says he doesn't mind being managed by her and Beth.
What book does Jo pretend to want when she visits Mr. Laurence's study?
The second volume of Boswell's Life of Johnson, which Mr. Laurence had previously recommended to her.
How does the chapter end, and what does it foreshadow?
Jo finds a scrap of paper in Meg's desk with "Mrs. John Brooke" written on it and burns it in dismay. This foreshadows Meg's eventual engagement to Brooke at the end of Part One.
What theme does the forged letter subplot illustrate about secrets and honesty?
It illustrates that secrets and deception lead to cascading misunderstandings and emotional harm, while honesty and openness—even when uncomfortable—prevent greater damage.
How does Jo serve as a foil to Laurie in this chapter?
While Laurie acts impulsively and creates chaos through his prank, Jo demonstrates growing maturity by acting as a peacemaker and diplomat, revealing her capacity for responsibility alongside her usual bluntness.
What does Laurie quote from Amy at the end of the chapter?
He quotes Amy's malapropism, calling Jo's remark a "label on my sect" (instead of "libel on my sex"), showing the family's playful dynamic even after conflict.