Little Men

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Men (1871), also known as Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys, is the second book in her unofficial trilogy of children’s novels. It reprises characters from her popular classic Little Women (1868) and is followed by the final book in the series, Jo’s Boys (1886). Little Men tells the story of Jo Bhaer and her husband Fritz Bhaer, who run a school for underprivileged boys at Plumfield Estate. It has been adapted multiple times for film and television.

This guide refers to the Harper Collins Kindle Edition.

Plot Summary

The novel is set years after the events of Little Women. Jo March, now known as Mrs. Jo, and her husband, Professor Fritz Bhaer, or Mr. Bhaer, now run a school for boys on their large estate at Plumfield. Plumfield is a sanctuary for young boys from diverse backgrounds. One such boy is Nat Blake, a musically gifted orphan, who arrives at Plumfield after his father’s death. The Bhaers and the other pupils welcome him warmly to their family-style school, and he begins to recover his physical health and confidence. Nat forms a close friendship with Tommy Bangs, a warm-hearted and mischievous boy, and the two create a business venture gathering and selling eggs from Tommy’s hens.

The school curriculum is unusual compared to other educational institutions of the time. The boys are encouraged to spend time outdoors, where they play and explore nature. The Bhaers don’t enforce strict rules or a rigid academic curriculum, instead believing that the students will learn through relationships with each other and practical experiences. The Bhaers treat the students like their own children, fostering their moral development through nurturing familial bonds.

Mrs. Jo is dedicated to the reformation of students she calls “black sheep”—troubled youth who would struggle to thrive in more conventional education settings. One of these is Nan, a girl often in trouble due to her curious and bold nature. Mrs. Jo invites Nan to stay at Plumfield, allowing her to run and play boisterously with the boys outside. Nan’s exuberance is soon channeled into tending her medicinal herb garden and nursing the boys’ minor injuries. The Bhaers encourage her sympathetic nature and the development of her healing skills, planning to help her seek a career as a doctor—unusual for a woman in 19th-century America.

Another troubled youth transformed by Plumfield is Dan Kean, a homeless orphan who helped Nat during his time on the streets. At first, Dan doesn’t fit in at Plumfield due to his rough and tumble attitude and his criminal past; Mr. Bhaer sends him away to protect the other boys from his influence. However, Dan finds his way back into the Bhaers’ hearts, renewing his efforts to improve his character. With Mrs. Jo’s help, Dan overcomes his restless nature. His friendship with Nat deepens, and he gains the respect of the other boys. Ultimately, his presence at Plumfield is a comfort and joy, and he becomes an upstanding young man with career prospects as a loyal servant and companion to their rich neighbor, Mr. Hyde.

Throughout the school year, many of the students at Plumfield develop their inner strengths and talents under the guidance of the Bhaers. As they play, learn, and even fight with each other, they grow through their interactions. The boys see how to value the strength of women by spending time with Nan, Daisy, and little Bess. They improve their manners and learn how to be gracious hosts and good guests. The young boys also start business ventures, building partnerships and developing honesty in financial dealings. The presence of Mrs. Jo’s morally-minded nephew Demi influences Nat’s Christian values, and Dan’s gentlemanly manners.

The sudden and tragic death of Demi’s father John reveals the kindness of the Plumfield boys, who are a great comfort to Mrs. Jo and her sister Meg. They sing a hymn at his funeral and are in awe of the reaction of the community, as many people recall John’s service as an honest businessman and caring friend and family member. The boys understand that what is more valuable than financial success is a man’s reputation, which is earned by the way he treats others.

At Thanksgiving, the Bhaers reflect on the outcome of their school. They are thankful and pleased at the progress their children are making. Their care in raising Nat and Dan into talented and useful young men is appreciated by the Bhaers’ immediate family, who are impressed with the changes they see. Uncle Teddy and Aunt Amy (Mrs. Jo’s sister and brother-in-law) even plan to send their precious daughter Bess to attend their school when she is old enough. Mrs. Jo believes that it is her motherly love that is the most transformative influence on the children.