PART TWO: CHAPTER THIRTY - FIVE - Heartache Practice Quiz — Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: PART TWO: CHAPTER THIRTY - FIVE - Heartache
What honor does Laurie achieve at the start of Chapter 35?
He graduates with honor and delivers the Latin oration, compared to a Phillips in grace and a Demosthenes in eloquence.
What does Jo promise to do when meeting Laurie after graduation?
She promises to march before him playing "Hail the conquering hero comes" on a jew's-harp, though she forgets it when they actually meet.
What is Laurie's central declaration to Jo in the grove?
"I've loved you ever since I've known you, Jo, couldn't help it, you've been so good to me."
What changes did Laurie make in hopes of winning Jo's love?
He gave up billiards and everything Jo didn't like, worked hard to please her, waited patiently, and never complained.
What reason does Jo give for why she and Laurie should not marry?
She agrees with her mother that their quick tempers and strong wills would make them miserable together.
How does Jo describe herself when explaining why Laurie would be ashamed of her?
She calls herself "homely and awkward and odd and old."
What does Jo say about marriage in general during her argument with Laurie?
She declares, "I don't believe I shall ever marry. I'm happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man."
Who is the "old man" Laurie angrily accuses Jo of loving?
Professor Bhaer. Laurie calls him "that devilish Professor you were always writing about," though Jo insists she has no idea of loving him or anybody else.
What does Laurie do physically after Jo's final, firm rejection?
He flings his hat and coat into his boat and rows away up the river with all his might, trying to outstrip the trouble in his heart.
What metaphor does Jo use to describe her guilt after rejecting Laurie?
She feels "as if she had murdered some innocent thing, and buried it under the leaves."
How does Jo handle breaking the news to Mr. Laurence?
She goes straight to him, tells the hard story bravely, then breaks down crying "so dismally over her own insensibility" that the kind old gentleman utters no reproach.
What piece of music does Laurie play on the piano after returning home?
Beethoven's Sonata Pathétique, played as he has never played it before.
What causes Laurie's music to end with a broken chord?
He hears Mrs. March's voice calling "Jo, dear, come in. I want you"—the very words Laurie longs to say with a different meaning.
What does Mr. Laurence say when he finds Laurie at the piano in the dark?
"I know, my boy, I know."—spoken as gently as a woman, with his hands on Laurie's shoulders.
What plan does Mr. Laurence propose to help Laurie recover?
He proposes they travel to Europe together—he will handle business in London while Laurie is free to visit Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.
What promise does Mr. Laurence extract from Laurie before they leave?
He asks Laurie to promise he will make "an honest use" of his liberty, believing this pledge will keep him out of mischief.
How does Laurie behave during the weeks before his departure?
He is moody, irritable, and pensive by turns; he loses his appetite, neglects his dress, plays tempestuously on the piano, avoids Jo but stares at her from his window.
What is Laurie's last appeal to Jo before departing?
"Oh, Jo, can't you?" She replies, "Teddy, dear, I wish I could!"
What does Jo realize as Laurie leaves without looking back?
She knows "that the boy Laurie never would come again"—their carefree childhood bond is irreversibly changed.
What literary device does the blackbird singing on the willow represent during the grove scene?
Pathetic fallacy/nature contrast: the cheerful birdsong and rustling grass contrast with the painful emotional exchange, underscoring nature's indifference to human heartbreak.