Little Women, Chapter 33 summary

What happens

1. Jo settles into Mrs. Kirke’s house, begins teaching her daughters, and notices Professor Bhaer helping a young servant carry coal.
2. She observes Bhaer teaching and playing with children, meets him, and accepts Miss Norton’s invitation to lectures and concerts.
3. Jo secretly repairs Bhaer’s clothes, and he offers German lessons when he discovers both her sewing and her interest in learning.
4. When grammar defeats Jo, Bhaer changes to fairy tales, and she begins making better progress.
5. Jo enjoys her family’s Christmas parcel, exchanges gifts with Bhaer, and surprises the boarders with her masquerade performance.
6. She ends her letters feeling cheerful, hardworking, and more interested in others.

In this chapter

What to notice

Jo directly identifies the change she feels in herself. Work and attention to others now accompany her happiness away from home.

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