Zum Inhalt springen
The Library
of Alexandria
AnmeldenTry 3 months free3 months free

Little Women, Chapter 40 summary

Chapter 40 of 47 · Part 2 · 9 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 40, the family comforts Beth through her final year, and Jo learns patience and selflessness while caring for her through suffering and returning peace. After finding Jo’s poem, Beth feels assured that her life matters, asks Jo to care for their parents, and dies quietly before dawn.

What happens

  1. The family fills Beth’s room with familiar comforts, and she makes small gifts for passing schoolchildren.
  2. Beth’s strength fades, and a brief period of severe suffering gives way to renewed peace.
  3. Jo stays beside Beth and learns patience, forgiveness, duty, and faith from her.
  4. Beth discovers Jo’s poem and feels comforted that her quiet life helps someone.
  5. Beth asks Jo to take her place with their parents, and Jo accepts this duty over her former ambition.
  6. Beth dies quietly before dawn, and her family grieves while feeling thankful that her suffering ends.

Free for 3 months

Get the full summary of Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, free

  • 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
  • Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Starten Sie 90 Tage kostenlosNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.

In this chapter

JoBethTheme: Family care

What to notice

Beth connects her peace about death with love rather than achievement. Her words also frame the family duty she asks Jo to accept.

Quick check

What reassures Beth that her life has not been useless?

Free for 3 months

Get the full summary of Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, free

  • 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
  • Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Starten Sie 90 Tage kostenlosNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold

15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.

Try 3 months free