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The Turquoise Ring
When Jo and Professor Bhaer become engaged in a rainstorm, it’s revealed that Jo is overjoyed “to walk through life beside him, even though she had no better shelter than the old umbrella, if he carried it.” Umbrellas in Little Women tend to play key roles in romantic scenes, such as the one quoted here. They can be seen as symbolizing male protectiveness.
Umbrellas Quotes in Little Women
The Little Women quotes below all refer to the symbol of Umbrellas. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Part 2, Chapter 46
Quotes
“Oh yes!” said Jo, and he was quite satisfied, for she folded both hands over his arm, and looked up at him with an expression that plainly showed how happy she would be to walk through life beside him, even though she had no better shelter than the old umbrella, if he carried it.
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“Ah! Thou gifest me such hope and courage, and I haf nothing to gif back but a full heart and these empty hands,” cried the Professor, quite overcome.
Jo never, never would learn to be proper, for when he said that as they stood upon the steps, she just put both hands into his, whispering tenderly, “Not empty now,” and stooping down, kissed her Friedrich under the umbrella.
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Umbrellas Symbol Timeline in Little Women
The timeline below shows where the symbol Umbrellas appears in Little Women. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 23: Aunt March Settles the Question
...(who seems love-struck) is an object of scrutiny, and Jo shakes her fist at the umbrella Mr. Brooke happened to leave at their house.
(full context)
Mr. Brooke arrives to collect his umbrella just as Meg finishes her speech. Jo, flustered, tells Mr. Brook that she’ll fetch it...
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Part 2, Chapter 46: Under the Umbrella
...hope that she would run into the professor). Her mother reminds her to take an umbrella before she leaves – Jo forgets this.
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...a glimpse of the professor. It begins raining, and Jo chastises herself for forgetting her umbrella in her foolish search for the professor. As she walks, she notices that an umbrella...
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...arrive at the March family’s house, Jo kisses him while they still stand under the umbrella.
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