# Beth March — Little Women character guide > Beth March in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Elizabeth March, Little Beth, Beth **First appearance:** 0001-little-women ## Who they are The third March sister, called 'Little Tranquillity,' who warms slippers at the hearth, hems handkerchiefs for Marmee, and dreads being the center of attention. ## Relationships ### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_march) _family_ Beth and Jo are sisters with a tender, protective relationship, Jo being especially devoted to gentle Beth. ### [Laurie Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/laurie_laurence) _friendship_ Beth and Laurie share a quiet, gentle friendship, with Laurie showing her kindness and protection. ### [Amy March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/amy_march) _family_ Amy and Beth are sisters, with Amy sometimes impatient with Beth's shyness but ultimately loving. ### [Marmee March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/marmee_march) _family_ Beth is deeply attached to Marmee, who nurtures her fragile health and quiet spirit. ### [Meg March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/meg_march) _family_ Beth and Meg are sisters, with Meg acting as a nurturing older sister to the shy Beth. ### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_march) _family_ Beth and Jo are sisters with a tender, protective relationship, Jo being especially devoted to gentle Beth. ### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_march) _family_ Beth and Jo are sisters with a tender, protective relationship, Jo being especially devoted to gentle Beth. ### [Laurie Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/laurie_laurence) _friendship_ Beth and Laurie share a quiet, gentle friendship, with Laurie showing her kindness and protection. ### [Marmee March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/marmee_march) _family_ Beth is deeply attached to Marmee, who nurtures her fragile health and quiet spirit. ### [Amy March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/amy_march) _family_ Amy and Beth are sisters, with Amy sometimes impatient with Beth's shyness but ultimately loving. ### [Marmee March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/marmee_march) _family_ Beth is deeply attached to Marmee, who nurtures her fragile health and quiet spirit. ### [Amy March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/amy_march) _family_ Amy and Beth are sisters, with Amy sometimes impatient with Beth's shyness but ultimately loving. ## In the story ### [Little Women Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/little-women) The shy, gentle third sister, devoted to her family and music. ### [Playing Pilgrims](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-i-playing-pilgrims) Asks when father will come home; knits with all her might after the letter; confesses her burden is dishes, dusters, and envy of nice pianos; plays the old piano for the family singing. ### [II: A Merry Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-ii-a-merry-christmas) Receives a dove-colored book; embroiders 'Mother' on handkerchiefs; eagerly helps carry food to the Hummels. ### [The Laurence Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-laurence-boy) Beth is present during the pre-party preparations, observing the curling of Meg's hair. ### [Burdens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-iv-burdens) Listens thoughtfully to Marmee's story and comments on the sermon. ### [Being Neighborly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-v-being-neighborly) Mentioned as the one for whom Jo clears a path in the snow; later she reflects on 'Pilgrim's Progress' and the idea of the Laurence house as 'Palace Beautiful.' ### [Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-vi-beth-finds-the-palace-beautiful) Overcomes her fear of Old Mr. Laurence, receives a piano as a gift, and expresses gratitude by making slippers. ### [Amy's Valley of Humiliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-vii-amy-s-valley-of-humiliation) Beth listens eagerly as Laurie hints at her own musical talent, blushing with modesty when she realizes he means her. ### [Jo Meets Apollyon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-viii-jo-meets-apollyon) Mourns the loss of Jo's manuscript and feels the family discord deeply. ### [Meg Goes to Vanity Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-ix-meg-goes-to-vanity-fair) Quietly sorts ribbons and reminds Meg of her earlier happiness; supports her sister's preparations. ### [The P.C. and P.O.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-x-the-p-c-and-p-o) As Tracy Tupman, Beth is rosy and plump, grows old-fashioned fragrant flowers, and is known for her gentle nature. ### [XI: Experiments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xi-experiments) Beth neglects her chores and her canary Pip, who dies as a result, leading her to deep remorse. ### [Camp Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xii-camp-laurence) Acts as postmistress; agrees to go to the picnic only if no boys talk to her; is kind to the lame boy Frank. ### [Castles in the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-castles-in-the-air) Sorting cones, Beth is gentle and musing. She expresses a wish to stay at home with her parents and later comforts Laurie with her quiet faith. ### [XIV: Secrets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xiv-secrets) Proud of Jo's success and hurt by being left out of secrets. ### [XV: A Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xv-a-telegram) Takes a hopeful view of November; fetches wine from Mr. Laurence for her father. ### [Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xvi-letters) Writes a short, tender note, sending pressed pansies and promising to be good; she cannot sing 'Land of the Leal' without crying. ### [Little Faithful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xvii-little-faithful) Beth faithfully performs her duties and visits the Hummels, where a baby dies in her arms. She contracts scarlet fever and is bedridden, showing quiet resilience and devotion. ### [Dark Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xviii-dark-days) Lies gravely ill with scarlet fever, delirious and unconscious, but eventually the fever breaks. ### [XIX: Amy’s Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xix-amy-s-will) Mentioned as being seriously ill; she had previously expressed a wish to give away her possessions, which inspires Amy's will. ### [Confidential](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xx-confidential) Beth wakes from her long sleep to find her mother and a little rose beside her, beginning her recovery in a peaceful, healing atmosphere. ### [Pleasant Meadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xxii-pleasant-meadows) Recovering from illness, she enjoys the snow-maiden gift, sings a hymn, and is held safely by her father who vows to keep her safe. ### [Gossip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv-gossip) Remains delicate after scarlet fever, but is hopeful, happy, and serene, busy with quiet duties and beloved by all. ### [The First Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv-the-first-wedding) Beth appears slender and pale, with a shadow of pain in her eyes, but she hides her face on her mother's shoulder during the wedding. ### [Artistic Attempts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi-artistic-attempts) Beth assists Hannah behind the scenes and reports that kittens got at the chicken, adding to the day's complications. ### [Literary Lessons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii-literary-lessons) Beneficiary of Jo's prize money, goes to the seaside with Mrs. March for her health, shows wistful longing to see Jo's book printed soon. ### [Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx-consequences) Comforts Jo, expressing selfish gladness that Jo is staying home, showing her loving and clinging nature. ### [Our Foreign Correspondent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi-our-foreign-correspondent) Mentioned fondly by Amy, who wishes Beth could have enjoyed the sea voyage and notes Frank Vaughn's inquiry about her health. ### [XXXII: Tender Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii-tender-troubles) Shows signs of sorrow and quietness; Jo believes she is in love with Laurie. ### [Jo's Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii-jo-s-journal) Addressed in Jo's letter; Jo thanks Beth for the ink-bib. ### [Heartache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv-heartache) Walks in the garden with Jo and hears Laurie's piano playing. ### [Beth's Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi-beth-s-secret) Beth reveals her secret acceptance of her impending death, showing serene faith and a desire to prepare her family. ### [XL: The Valley of the Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xl-the-valley-of-the-shadow) The central figure of the chapter, Beth is dying but remains tranquil and unselfish, making gifts for children and finding comfort in her family. She discovers Jo's poem and expresses gratitude for her life's impact. ### [Learning to Forget](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xli-learning-to-forget) Her death is a key event that brings Amy and Laurie together in shared grief. ### [XLII: All Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlii-all-alone) Though deceased, her memory and influence pervade the chapter, inspiring Jo's household efforts and writing. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/beth_march - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters