Original artwork, not a still
Oh, Jo, I’ve missed you so. Why does everyone want to go away? I love being home. But I don’t like being left behind. Now I am the one going ahead. I am not afraid. I can be brave like you.
— Little Women ‧ 1868
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Beth, the quietest March sister, turns the usual order round: Jo is the one who always went ahead, and now Beth must do so first. She asks nothing but to be remembered as brave, which is why the speech is among the most quoted and most tearful scenes in the film. For many readers it stands for losing a sibling.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Little WomenShow the scene
In Gillian Armstrong's 1994 Little Women, Jo is called home from New York because Beth, whose health never recovered from scarlet fever, is dying. Beth tells her she was never like the rest of them, making plans to do great things, and that she never saw herself as anything much. Jo protests that she is no great writer. Beth, in bed, then speaks these words to Jo: she has missed her, does not like being left behind, and now is the one going ahead without fear. Jo answers that she will not let her go. Jo's later letter to Laurie speaks of the family's sad news of Beth.
Sources (2)
- Springfield! Springfield! Little Women (1994) scriptBeth's deathbed scene with JoReference checked
- Wikipedia, Little Women (1994 film)plotReference checked
Context reviewed
