Little Women: Part 2, Chapter 34 Summary & Analysis

In spite of keeping quite busy in her work as a governess, Jo still makes time to write stories for money. “She saw that money conferred power, money and power, therefore, she resolved to have, not to be used just for herself alone, but for those whom she loved more than life.”

Jo “dresses herself in her best” and goes to the offices of the Weekly Volcano with her latest sensation story. Jo tells the editor that “her friend” would like to publish the story. The editor gruffly takes her manuscript and chuckles over her ruse. Jo leaves feeling embarrassed and nettled.

In spite of her less than desirable welcome at the Weekly Volcano’s offices, Jo is pleased to learn, the following week, that the editor will pay her “twenty-five to thirty” for her story. She’s crestfallen and confused, however, that the editor has chosen to cut out all references to morals in her story.

Jo continues to write stories, and soon she has made a tidy sum from her writing. She can’t help but feel, though, that her parents would not approve of her stories. Her character begins to be affected by the subject matter of her stories. “She was living in bad society, and imaginary though it was, its influence affected her….”

Meanwhile, Jo studies Professor Bhaer, trying to discern what it is that makes him so attractive to everyone in his wake. Jo concludes that even though Professor Bhaer is poor and none too handsome, his “genuine good will” toward humanity was able to beautify and dignify him.

A well-connected lady at the boarding house takes Jo to a symposium featuring a number of literary and philosophical luminaries. Jo is shocked to discover that many of her idols are flawed – a great novelist is drinking to excess, a famous divine (a clergyman) is flirting shamelessly, etc.

Professor Bhaer joins the ladies. Nearby, several philosophers begin talking about the possibility that God doesn’t exist. Professor Bhaer is furious, and staunchly defends the existence of God. As she listens to him, Jo is relieved to find that “God was not a blind force, and immortality not a pretty fable, but a blessed fact.” Jo is deeply impressed, and leaves the party thinking “character is a better possession than money, rank, intellect, or beauty….”

Professor Bhaer has taken it upon himself to teach Jo German. One evening, he arrives to their lesson wearing a paper hat (a gift from one of his students). Jo breaks out in laughter, and Professor Bhaer removes the hat from his head. Jo realizes that the hat is made from a paper that prints sensational stories, and she blushes. Professor Bhaer realizes that Jo must be writing sensational stories, and he feels it’s his duty to protect Jo from harm. He denounces sensational stories, and throws the paper hat in the fire.

Jo returns to her room that night and, upon further reflection, realizes that she’s writing nothing but trash. “I’ve gone blindly on,” she thinks, “hurting myself and other people, for the sake of money.”

Jo attempts to write in other genres, but is unable to come up with anything good. She resolves to set writing aside for a time, with the hope that someday she might try again afresh.

Winter and spring pass, and Jo readies herself to leave for home in June. Before she leaves, she invites Professor Bhaer to visit her in a month, when Laurie graduates. Professor Bhaer seems troubled by the mention of Laurie, and he politely turns down her invitation. That night, Professor Bhaer resigns himself to the thought that Jo doesn’t love him. Meanwhile, Jo is left with the feeling that she’s made a wonderful friend, and she hopes to keep him all her life.