PART TWO: CHAPTER THIRTY - EIGHT - On the Shelf Practice Quiz — Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: PART TWO: CHAPTER THIRTY - EIGHT - On the Shelf
What is the central problem Meg faces in Chapter 38?
Meg becomes so absorbed in caring for her twins that she neglects her husband John, her household, and her own health, causing a rift in their marriage.
What does the phrase "on the shelf" mean in this chapter?
It refers to how married women in America are socially ignored after marriage, but Alcott redefines it by the end as a safe, fulfilling place of domestic love and partnership.
Who is Mrs. Scott and what role does she play?
Mrs. Scott is the Brookes' neighbor, a lively young wife with no children. John begins spending his evenings at her home because his own parlor is empty and lonely.
What does John do when he feels neglected by Meg?
He patiently endures the neglect for six months, then begins spending evenings at the Scotts' home, where the parlor is welcoming and Mrs. Scott provides pleasant company.
Why does Meg confide in Marmee?
Marmee finds Meg crying and insists on knowing what is wrong. Meg complains that John is always away and that she does all the hard work without any amusement.
What is Marmee's key piece of advice to Meg?
Marmee tells Meg not to neglect her husband for her children, to include John in parenting, let Hannah help with the nursery, and make home pleasant so John will want to stay.
What personal experience does Marmee share with Meg?
Marmee reveals she made the same mistake when Meg and Jo were small, refusing help until she fell sick. Mr. March then stepped in, and they learned to work together as partners.
Who is Hannah and what role does Marmee suggest for her?
Hannah is the March family's longtime servant. Marmee suggests she come help Meg with the children so Meg can exercise, manage the house, and spend time with John.
What is Demi's personality like in this chapter?
Demi is stubborn and strong-willed, having inherited his father's firmness. He refuses to go to bed and repeatedly escapes the nursery, demanding cake and sugar.
How does Daisy contrast with Demi?
Daisy is described as a "chubby little bunch of good nature" who goes to sleep easily and obediently, in contrast to her rebellious twin brother.
What happens during Meg's first attempt at a special evening with John?
She orders a nice supper and dresses prettily, but Demi refuses to sleep and keeps coming downstairs, disrupting the evening until John takes charge of bedtime.
How does John handle Demi's bedtime rebellion?
He carries Demi to bed and sits calmly while Demi screams and kicks. He refuses to give in to coaxing or sugar, and waits patiently until Demi falls asleep in his arms.
What does Meg find when she sneaks back to check on John and Demi?
She finds Demi asleep in John's arms, holding his father's finger, and John also asleep, exhausted from the bedtime struggle. She realizes John knows how to manage the children.
What does Meg do after the bedtime scene to show she has changed?
She asks John to read to her about politics and requests he take her to a concert, showing her willingness to engage with his interests and leave the house for entertainment.
How does John respond to Meg's interest in politics?
He reads a long debate and explains it clearly. Though he notices Meg's attention wanders to her bonnet, he decides to try liking millinery for her sake, just as she tries liking politics for his.
What is the significance of the bonnet scene?
Meg puts on her best bonnet and John admires it, saying he prefers the face inside because it looks "young and happy again." It symbolizes Meg's return to caring for herself and their relationship.
What is the "little blue bow" detail?
Meg wears a little blue bow in her hair that is John's "especial admiration," showing she has dressed up specifically for him, marking her effort to reconnect with her husband.
How does Alcott compare American and French women at the start of the chapter?
In France, girls have a dull time until marriage frees them. In America, girls enjoy freedom early but married women are "put upon the shelf" and socially ignored.
What does Kitty the cook represent in the chapter?
Kitty represents the domestic neglect caused by Meg's total focus on the babies. She is an Irish cook who "took life aisy" and kept John on "short commons" (poor meals).
What is the outcome of Meg's changes by the end of the chapter?
The children thrive under shared parenting, Meg recovers her spirits, John stays home happily, and even neighbors like Sallie Moffat admire their cheerful household.
What does Sallie Moffat's visit reveal by contrast?
Sallie admires the Brookes' happy home with "wistful eyes," revealing that her own wealthy home is full of "splendid loneliness" with no children and a distant husband.
What does Alcott mean by calling John a "house-band"?
She traces the word "husband" to the Saxon term "house-band," meaning the person who binds the household together, emphasizing John's role as a faithful partner and unifying presence.