Harvest Time explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family and Sisterhood

  The March family unites to support Jo's school plan, and the sisters reflect on their blessings and sorrows together.

• Ambition and Work

  Jo's dream of running a school for boys is realized through hard work, patience, and dedication.

• Loss and Grief

  Aunt March's death brings both sorrow and opportunity; Amy fears losing her frail daughter; Jo still thinks tenderly of Beth.

Characters to notice

• Jo March

  Now married to Professor Bhaer, she inherits Plumfield and opens a school for boys, becoming 'Mother Bhaer' and finding great happiness.

• Professor Bhaer

  Jo's husband, who helps run the school and is beloved by the boys as 'Father Bhaer'.

• Laurie Laurence

  Married to Amy, he supports Jo's plan and later suggests naming the school 'Bhaer-garten'.

• Amy March

  Now Laurie's wife and mother to a frail daughter; she grows sweeter and more tender through her trials.

• Marmee March

  The matriarch, who supports Jo's plan and is touched by her daughters' gratitude at the harvest festival.

• Meg March

  Now a mother, she expresses concern about Jo's responsibilities but later joins the family celebration.

Key passages

• “The crop we are going to raise is a profitable one; and Jo laughed. 'Of what is this fine crop to consist, ma'am?' 'Boys.'”

  Jo announces her plan to run a school for boys, calling them her 'crop.'

  Jo's playful yet determined declaration of her life's work.

• “Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and sad and dreary.”

  Everyone experiences sorrow and hardship at times.

  A poetic reflection on the inevitability of suffering, even in happy lives.

• “O, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this!”

  Marmee expresses that her daughters' current happiness is the greatest blessing she could wish for them.

  Marmee's heartfelt blessing at the family gathering.