# XIV: Secrets explained — Little Women

> Chapter companion for Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

## What happens

Jo March secretly submits her stories for publication and reveals her success to her family, while her sisters notice her strange behavior and her bond with Laurie deepens.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Work

Jo's determination to write and earn money reflects her ambition and desire for independence.

### Coming of Age and Self-Improvement

Jo struggles with growing up and the changes it brings, while Meg envies adult luxuries.

### Family and Sisterhood

The March sisters share Jo's triumph, highlighting their close bond and mutual support.

## Character check-ins

### Jo March

Writes and submits stories, keeps secrets, and reveals her first published work to her family.

### Meg March

Observes Jo's odd behavior and envies Belle Moffat's wealthy wedding.

### Laurie Laurence

Shares secrets with Jo, chases her in the garden, and encourages her writing.

### Beth March

Proud of Jo's success and hurt by being left out of secrets.

### Amy March

Critiques Jo's story and focuses on her own elegant appearance.

### Marmee March

Proud of Jo's achievement upon learning of the publication.

## Key lines

> Never till I'm stiff and old, and have to use a crutch. Don't try to make me grow up before my time, Meg: it's hard enough to have you change all of a sudden; let me be a little girl as long as I can.

Jo pleads with Meg not to rush her into adulthood, expressing fear of the changes that growing up brings.

_Jo resists maturity and the separation it implies from her sisters._

> There, I've done my best! If this won't suit I shall have to wait till I can do better.

Jo finishes her manuscript with a mix of hope and resignation, ready to accept rejection if necessary.

_Jo's dedication to her craft and her realistic expectations as a beginner writer._

> for to be independent, and earn the praise of those she loved were the dearest wishes of her heart, and this seemed to be the first step toward that happy end.

Jo's deepest desires are independence and the approval of her family, and her first publication feels like the beginning of achieving them.

_Jo values both self-reliance and familial love, seeing her writing as a path to both._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xiv-secrets
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_women_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_women_se/chapters