Little Women

Little Women

by

Louisa May Alcott

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Little Women makes teaching easy.
Umbrellas Symbol Icon
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:
The Role of Women Theme Icon
).
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.

Related Characters: Josephine "Jo" March, Professor Friedrich "Fritz" Bhaer
Related Symbols: Umbrellas
Page Number: 482
Explanation and Analysis:

“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.

Related Characters: Josephine "Jo" March (speaker), Professor Friedrich "Fritz" Bhaer (speaker)
Related Symbols: Umbrellas
Page Number: 488
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Little Women LitChart as a printable PDF.
Little Women PDF

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
The Role of Women Theme Icon
Love Theme Icon
...(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)
The Role of Women Theme Icon
Love Theme Icon
Mr. Brooke arrives to collect his umbrella just as Meg finishes her speech. Jo, flustered, tells Mr. Brook that she’ll fetch it... (full context)
Part 2, Chapter 46: Under the Umbrella
The Role of Women Theme Icon
Genuineness, Simplicity, and Natural Beauty Theme Icon
Love Theme Icon
...hope that she would run into the professor). Her mother reminds her to take an umbrella before she leaves – Jo forgets this. (full context)
The Role of Women Theme Icon
Love Theme Icon
...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... (full context)
The Role of Women Theme Icon
Love Theme Icon
...arrive at the March family’s house, Jo kisses him while they still stand under the umbrella. (full context)