Jo's Boys facts for kids
Cover and spine, 1887 edition
|
|
| Author | Louisa May Alcott |
|---|---|
| Country | United States of America |
| Language | English |
| Series | Little Women |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Roberts Brothers |
|
Publication date
|
1886 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 375 (First edition) |
| Preceded by | Little Men |
Jo's Boys is a book written by American author Louisa May Alcott. It was first published in 1886. This novel is the last book in the famous Little Women series.
The story follows the children of the March sisters. It also features the first students from Plumfield school. They are now grown up and face real-world challenges. They work on their careers and look for love.
Louisa May Alcott wrote Jo's Boys between 1882 and 1886. She was dealing with a long illness during this time. The book talks about new ideas for boys and girls. It also explores modern education and women's right to vote. Characters like Dan and Nan show how people can find their own way.
Many people liked Jo's Boys. They praised Alcott's usual charm and humor. They also noted the book's good values and new ideas. Readers enjoyed seeing their favorite characters again. Some critics, however, felt it was not as good as her other books.
Contents
The Story of Jo's Boys
The book takes place at Plumfield school. Jo and Professor Bhaer still run the school. This is ten years after the events of Little Men. The story also shows what happened to many past Plumfield students.
Tom, one of the first students, is in love with Nan. Nan was also a Plumfield student. Tom goes to medical school to be near her. But he does not really want to be a doctor. Nan, however, wants to stay single. She wants to focus on her career.
Jo has become famous and earned a lot of money. She publishes many stories. But she is tired of fans visiting and writing to her. They expect her to be different from who she is. After a tiring visit from some fans, Dan arrives. He was another original Plumfield student. He comes to visit from California. Everyone at Plumfield is interested in his wild and handsome looks.
A dance is held at Parnassus. This is the home of Amy and Laurie's family. After the dance, Dan leaves to try farming. Professor Bhaer's adopted son, Emil, goes back to sea.
The Lawrences then take Josie on a beach vacation. Josie is Meg's youngest daughter. There, she finds her idol, Miss Cameron. The actress is staying next door. Josie eventually gets an invitation to visit. Miss Cameron gives her advice about acting.
Back at Plumfield, Tom talks to Mrs. Jo. He tells her he "accidentally" proposed to a girl named Dora. He did this while trying to impress Nan. But he finds he is happier with Dora. He quits medical school to join his family's business. Meanwhile, Demi tells his mother, Meg, he wants to go into publishing. He had tried many other jobs before this.
The story then jumps to Emil. He gets a promotion for his hard work as a sailor. On his first trip as second mate, his ship sinks. The captain gets badly hurt. Emil shows his true strength by helping everyone. He later marries the captain's daughter.
Dan travels out west. He gets into a difficult situation. He ends up hurting a man in self-defense. This was something Jo and he always worried about. He is sent to prison for a year. He feels ashamed and only sends short postcards home. After he is released, he decides to do something good. He wants to be proud of himself before visiting Plumfield again.
Nat, another original student, starts a music career in Europe. He almost goes into debt. He then decides to focus more on his studies. Back at Plumfield, Jo puts on a play. It focuses on a mother as the hero. Another play shows the Plumfield students as classic gods and goddesses. Laurie makes a comment about Jo being like Juno. This makes Jo want to be a better wife to Professor Bhaer. Miss Cameron attends the event. She praises Josie's acting.
Later, the March sisters and female students have a sewing circle. They talk about their futures. They discuss the growing opportunities for single women. At Class Day, Demi and Josie try to find out Alice Heath's feelings for Demi. They send her three roses. Each rose is at a different stage of bloom. They ask her to wear one based on her feelings. Alice decides to wear all three. This confirms their engagement.
News comes by newspaper about Dan's injury. He was hurt saving men from a mining accident. Laurie brings him back to Plumfield to recover. Josie and Bess try to keep him entertained. Bess is Amy's young daughter. Jo realizes Dan is in love with Bess. She gently advises him not to act on it.
The book ends by saying all the marriages go well. Bess and Josie become successful in the arts. Nan stays happily single and dedicated to her work. Dan dies defending the Native Americans he lives among. Demi becomes successful in publishing. Jo's son, Ted, becomes a clergyman. Alcott writes that this is the end of the March family's story.
Main Ideas in Jo's Boys
Freedom and Independence
Characters like Miss Cameron, Dan, and Nan show a kind of freedom. They are not tied down by marriage or family. Dan is a very interesting character. He is free to do what he wants. He helps people but also gets into trouble. He is attractive but cannot marry Bess. His free life does not keep him from difficulties. It leads to a lonely life and an early death. He shows that trying to do everything you want might not bring happiness.
Single women and men also show a type of freedom. They can achieve different kinds of success. Nan can focus completely on her work. Dan, even though he is lonely, finds his own peace. The book often shows marriage as a side story. The main focus is on characters exploring careers and staying independent.
Modern Ideas and Changes
Plumfield school shows Louisa May Alcott's idea of a perfect place. It is a school, a home, and a place for charity. The school teaches the March family's children. It also helps local boys and orphans. Laurence College nearby is a school for both boys and girls. It has new ideas about education. It accepts students of any gender or race.
Gender Roles and Women's Rights
Experts have different ideas about Plumfield. Some think it is a place where women are equal. Others think Alcott focuses on the limits placed on women back then. The book shows women getting more rights. They can work, get an education, and live without a husband. Nan chooses her career over having a family. Daisy focuses mainly on having a family. Alice and Jo try to balance both career and family. Josie and Bess have successful careers and good partners.
The novel also talks about women's duty to vote. Jo encourages the female students to think about their lives if they never marry. They discuss how women's roles are less about their family name. They are more about their skills. Jo also believes that studying can help women who are tired or "delicate."
The book also shows plays at Plumfield. These plays focus on mothers as heroes. They suggest that interests outside the home are not good. Jo achieved her childhood dreams of money and fame. But she settles down as the head of Plumfield. Amy is said to have succeeded where Jo did not. She combined her family and artistic efforts. This suggests women can have a family and still develop their talents. Alcott also stresses how important a mother's guidance is for her sons. She believes only women can balance men's strong feelings.
Finding Your Path
Jo's Boys deeply explores how characters try to find the right direction in life. Both Dan and Demi try many different jobs. They finally find something they like. Other characters become lawyers, business people, artists, actors, musicians, doctors, religious leaders, and teachers. Tom's story shows how important it is to find a job you are "well-suited" for. Both Demi and Tom only find their true careers after thinking about marriage. They find more stable jobs that can support a family.
Old Stories and New Meanings
Alcott often refers to old Greek and Roman mythology stories. This shows the contrast between modern and old-fashioned ideas. Ted is often compared to Mercury, a Roman god. Dan sees a beautiful white statue of Galatea. Bess is often described as fair and white. These old stories help to highlight the present time.
Alcott gives a modern twist to the story of Galatea and Pygmalion. In the old story, a statue comes to life. But in Jo's Boys, Dan's wish for Bess is not fulfilled. This protects Bess's innocence. "The Owlsdark Marbles" are scenes acted out at Plumfield. They use mythology to comment on society. Bacchus becomes a topic for a talk about not drinking too much. Minerva holds a shield for "Woman's Rights." She encourages women to "vote early and often."
Author and Reader Connection
Alcott shows how authors and their readers can be separate. Jo's readers think they know her from her books. But Jo is frustrated. They do not know her personally. They want to connect with an ideal version of her. In Jo's Boys, Alcott shows a clear difference. It is between Jo's imagined fans and the real readers of her books. Fans are disappointed when they meet Jo. Jo starts to dislike them.
How the Book Was Written and Published
Louisa May Alcott started writing Jo's Boys in 1882. She was living in Concord, Massachusetts. She had a long illness. She took a break from writing because of dizziness. She later worried the book was not well written. This was because it took her so long to finish.
Her father, Bronson Alcott, worked in education. He helped start a perfect community in Massachusetts. This might have influenced the ideas about modern education in Jo's Boys. In 1885, Alcott moved to Boston. She finished writing Jo's Boys by June 1886. The first edition came out in October of that year.
In the beginning of the book, Alcott apologized for the writing. She said it was "uneven." She explained she wrote little about Amy. This was because "the original of that character died." Alcott found it hard to write about her. The first edition had one picture of Alcott's head. It did not have other pictures. Alcott thought the boys were grown up. She felt the book was not for young children. By 1990, the book had been printed 54 times. Over 221,439 copies were made.
Other Versions
Nan is the main character in a Japanese animated TV show. It is called Little Women II: Jo's Boys (Wakakusa Monogatari Nan to Jou Sensei).
See also
In Spanish: Los muchachos de Jo para niños
