Jo March 🔒 Members

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Age and build

Fifteen years old and very tall

“Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall, thin, and brown, and reminded one of a colt” (Little Women, part 1)

Thin build with long limbs

“she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very much in her way” (Little Women, part 1)

Round shoulders and big hands and feet

“Round shoulders had Jo, big hands and feet, a flyaway look to her clothes” (Little Women, part 1)

Face and hair

Long thick chestnut hair, her one beauty

“Her long, thick hair was her one beauty, but it was usually bundled into a net, to be out of her way” (Little Women, part 1)

Decided mouth and comical nose

“She had a decided mouth, a comical nose, and sharp, gray eyes” (Little Women, part 1)

Sharp gray eyes that see everything

“sharp, gray eyes, which appeared to see everything, and were by turns fierce, funny, or thoughtful” (Little Women, part 1)

Brown complexion with fresh colour in cheeks

“a fresh color in her brown cheeks, a soft shine in her eyes” (Little Women, part 25)

Dress

Flyaway appearance to clothes

“a flyaway look to her clothes, and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman” (Little Women, part 1)

Wears a large flapping hat

“Each wore a large, flapping hat, a brown linen pouch slung over one shoulder, and carried a long staff” (Little Women, part 13)

Wears a funny old broad-brimmed hat

“a funny old hat, which covered the whole post office and stuck outside” (Little Women, part 12)

Wears a black woolen pinafore and cap when writing

“Her ‘scribbling suit’ consisted of a black woolen pinafore on which she could wipe her pen at will, and a cap of the same material, adorned with a cheerful red bow” (Little Women, part 27)

Voice and speech

Sharp voice, usually gentle with those she cares for

“Her face was very friendly and her sharp voice unusually gentle as she said” (Little Women, part 5)

Voice is lower and quieter in maturity

“her voice is lower. She doesn’t bounce, but moves quietly” (Little Women, part 22)

Speaks with enthusiasm and impetuosity

“cried Jo, with the loving impetuosity which she never would outgrow” (Little Women, part 47)

Signature words

Uses 'Mercy me' as an exclamation

“Mercy me! I don’t know anything about love and such nonsense” (Little Women, part 20)

Uses 'Christopher Columbus' as an exclamation

“Christopher Columbus! What’s the matter” (Little Women, part 17)

Calls Laurie 'Teddy'

“You are a good doctor, Teddy, and such a comfortable friend” (Little Women, part 18)

Uses 'I declare' as an emphatic opening

“I declare, it really seems like being a fine young lady” (Little Women, part 3)

Uses 'Snuffbox' in a sepulchral tone

“Snuffbox,” said Jo, in a sepulchral tone” (Little Women, part 12)

Calls Professor Bhaer 'Fritz' and 'my Professor'

“I like that,” cried Jo, delighted with her new name” (Little Women, part 46)

Gait and mannerisms

Marches about with hands behind her back and nose in the air

“marching up and down, with her hands behind her back, and her nose in the air” (Little Women, part 1)

Walks with hands behind her back from habit

“strolling along with her hands behind her, partly from habit” (Little Women, part 29)

Runs and scatters hairpins when excited

“soon leaving hat and comb behind her and scattering hairpins as she ran” (Little Women, part 14)

Bounces and moves with energy

“She doesn’t bounce, but moves quietly” (Little Women, part 22)

Strengths

Learns to control her temper through effort

“I’ve learned to check the hasty words that rise to my lips, and when I feel that they mean to break out against my will, I just go away for a minute” (Little Women, part 8)

Talented writer with stories published

“And when I went to get my answer, the man said he liked them both, but didn’t pay beginners, only let them print in his paper” (Little Women, part 14)

Flaws

Quick temper and hasty words

“There never was such a cross family!” cried Jo, losing her temper when she had upset an inkstand, broken both boot lacings, and sat down upon her hat” (Little Women, part 4)

Holds grudges and lets anger fester

“I let the sun go down on my anger. I wouldn’t forgive her, and today, if it hadn’t been for Laurie, it might have been too late” (Little Women, part 8)

Struggles with vanity about her appearance

“It will be good for my vanity, I was getting too proud of my wig” (Little Women, part 15)

Dislikes being proper and constrained by social conventions

“It’s bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boy’s games and work and manners” (Little Women, part 1)

Traits

Tomboyish and wishes she were a boy

“I can’t get over my disappointment in not being a boy” (Little Women, part 1)

Innocent and frank at fifteen

“at fifteen she was as innocent and frank as any child” (Little Women, part 5)

Not sentimental or romantic

“Jo, who was not sentimental” (Little Women, part 5)

Becomes more gentle and thoughtful with maturity

“Jo’s angles are much softened, she has learned to carry herself with ease, if not grace” (Little Women, part 25)

Lines in their own words

Expressing her frustration with being female

“I hate to think I’ve got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China Aster” (Little Women, part 1)

Declaring her feelings about love

“I haven’t the least idea of loving him or anybody else” (Little Women, part 35)

Expressing joy at her father's recovery

“Three cheers for Father” (Little Women, part 1)

Reflecting on her changed life and happiness

“I don’t think I ever ought to call myself ‘unlucky Jo’ again, when my greatest wish has been so beautifully gratified” (Little Women, part 47)

Accepting her new role as a mother figure

“I haven’t given up the hope that I may write a good book yet, but I can wait, and I’m sure it will be all the better for such experiences and illustrations as these” (Little Women, part 47)