# Artistic Attempts explained — Little Women

> Chapter companion for Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

## What happens

Amy March pursues various artistic endeavors—pen-and-ink, poker-sketching, oil painting, charcoal portraits, crayon sketches, clay and plaster casting—with enthusiasm but mixed success. She resolves to become an attractive and accomplished woman even if not a great artist. She plans a luncheon and artistic outing for her drawing-class friends, but the event is plagued by weather, mishaps, and disappointments, though she perseveres with help from her family.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Work

Amy's relentless pursuit of artistic mastery despite repeated failures illustrates the theme of ambition and the value of perseverance in work.

### Poverty and Wealth

Amy's desire to host an elegant luncheon despite limited means highlights the tension between poverty and the aspiration to move in wealthy circles.

### Coming of Age and Self-Improvement

Amy's resolve to become an attractive and accomplished woman, learning from social and artistic setbacks, reflects her coming of age and commitment to self-improvement.

## Character check-ins

### Amy March

Amy is the central figure, experimenting with multiple art forms and organizing a social event for her classmates, revealing her ambition, tact, and desire for refinement.

### Marmee March

Marmee advises Amy on the luncheon plans, gently suggesting simplicity over extravagance, and supports her through the preparations.

### Jo March

Jo helps with decorations and agrees to be lively despite her disapproval, but her absent-mindedness causes accidents and breakages.

### Beth March

Beth assists Hannah behind the scenes and reports that kittens got at the chicken, adding to the day's complications.

### Meg March

Meg is ready to help with the honors during the luncheon.

### Laurie Laurence

Laurie is mentioned as the source of the borrowed 'cherry-bounce' (charabanc) and his elegant college friend appears in the chapter.

## Key lines

> If 'genius is eternal patience,' as Michelangelo affirms, Amy certainly had some claim to the divine attribute, for she persevered in spite of all obstacles, failures, and discouragements, firmly believing that in time she should do something worthy to be called 'high art.'

Amy kept trying again and again, no matter how many times she failed or was discouraged, because she truly believed that one day she would create something that deserved to be called great art.

_Highlights Amy's perseverance and ambition in her artistic pursuits._

> She had yet to learn that money cannot buy refinement of nature, that rank does not always confer nobility, and that true breeding makes itself felt in spite of external drawbacks.

Amy still needed to understand that being refined and noble comes from within, not from wealth or status, and that genuine good character shines through no matter what.

_Reflects Amy's growing understanding of true gentility versus superficial social markers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi-artistic-attempts
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_women_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_women_se/chapters