Little Women: Part 1, Chapter 19 Summary & Analysis

Meanwhile, Amy is holed up at Aunt March’s and having a rough time. Amy has taken Jo’s place in caring for Aunt March, and these chores, coupled with her schoolwork, leave her with little free time. Thankfully, Amy has allies. Laurie comes by every day to take her out, and the French maid Esther has taken a fancy to the girl.

While Aunt March takes her nap, Esther allows Amy to look through the old woman’s troves of jewelry. As Amy looks through a jewelry box, Esther asks the girl which of the things within she would most want to have. Amy picks out a strand of gold and ebony beads. Esther says she would like that necklace, too, but (given that she’s Catholic) she would like to use it as a rosary.

Esther goes on to tell Amy that she would find great comfort in taking up the Catholic practice of spending a little time each day in prayer and meditation, ideally in a chapel. Amy has been neglecting her daily readings of Pilgrim’s Progress, and she asks Esther if it would be right for her to mediate and pray. Esther assures her that it is all right, and offers to set up a small chapel in one of the house’s unused closets.

As they put away the jewelry, Esther reveals that Aunt March plans to give her jewelry to the March girls after she dies. Amy is delighted to learn that Aunt March also has plans to give her a turquoise ring when she leaves for home, given that she’s been well behaved. She resolves to be more obedient than ever, in order to be worthy of such a present.

Amy works to be more pious and well behaved, and Aunt March is pleased. Amy prays and meditates in her small chapel every day. Inspired by Aunt March, and in an effort to be even more well behaved, she decides to make her will.

Amy asks Esther and Laurie to sign the will as witnesses. Laurie reads the document and asks Amy if she got the idea from Beth. Amy is confused, and Laurie goes on to explain that one day, when she felt particularly ill, Beth dictated her own meager last will and testament to Meg, in which Beth (lacking wealth) asked for locks of her hair to be given to her friends and family. Moved to tears, Amy asks to for a clause to be added to her will, stipulating for her own hair to be cut off and distributed. After Laurie departs, Amy goes to her chapel and prays for Beth.