# Jo March — Little Women character guide > Jo March in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Josephine, Miss Jo, Doctor Jo, Joanna, Jo March **First appearance:** 0001-little-women ## Who they are The second March sister, a restless aspiring writer who declares herself 'the man of the family' and guards her secrets as fiercely as her temper. ## Relationships ### [Laurie Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/laurie_laurence) _friendship_ Jo and Laurie share a deep, playful friendship that almost turns romantic but ultimately settles into a close, platonic bond. ### [Amy March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/amy_march) _family_ Amy and Jo are sisters with a competitive, sometimes strained dynamic that evolves into mutual respect and love. ### [Meg March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/meg_march) _family_ Jo and Meg are close sisters, with Jo often looking up to Meg as a maternal figure and confidante. ### [Marmee March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/marmee_march) _family_ Jo shares a deeply affectionate and respectful bond with her mother Marmee, who guides and supports her. ### [Beth March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/beth_march) _family_ Beth and Jo are sisters with a tender, protective relationship, Jo being especially devoted to gentle Beth. ### [Professor Bhaer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/professor_bhaer) _romantic_ Jo and Professor Bhaer share an intellectual and romantic connection that leads to a loving marriage. ### [Ned Moffat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/ned_moffat) _social_ Jo and Ned Moffat are mere acquaintances, with Jo finding him frivolous and dismissive. ### [Aunt March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/aunt_march) _family_ Aunt March is Jo's wealthy, domineering great-aunt, often critical but with underlying care. ### [Laurie Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/laurie_laurence) _friendship_ Jo and Laurie share a deep, playful friendship that almost turns romantic but ultimately settles into a close, platonic bond. ### [Laurie Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/laurie_laurence) _friendship_ Jo and Laurie share a deep, playful friendship that almost turns romantic but ultimately settles into a close, platonic bond. ### [Marmee March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/marmee_march) _family_ Jo shares a deeply affectionate and respectful bond with her mother Marmee, who guides and supports her. ### [Meg March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/meg_march) _family_ Jo and Meg are close sisters, with Jo often looking up to Meg as a maternal figure and confidante. ## In the story ### [Little Women Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/little-women) The tomboyish second sister, passionate about writing and fiercely independent, often clashing with Amy. ### [Playing Pilgrims](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-i-playing-pilgrims) Leans on the back of the chair to hide emotion while the letter is read; declares herself 'the man of the family' and vows to provide slippers for Marmee; proposes the play rehearsal. ### [II: A Merry Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-ii-a-merry-christmas) First to wake; receives a crimson book; leads the theatrical performance, playing male roles. ### [The Laurence Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-laurence-boy) Jo is found reading in the garret, helps Meg prepare for the party, meets and dances with Laurie, and assists Meg after her injury. ### [Burdens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-iv-burdens) Tells a humorous story about reading to Aunt March and later encourages Meg to be cheerful. ### [Being Neighborly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-v-being-neighborly) Initiates a neighborly visit to Laurie, showing her adventurous and daring nature; she is unafraid of old Mr. Laurence and wins his approval. ### [Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-vi-beth-finds-the-palace-beautiful) Supports Beth, reads Mr. Laurence's letter aloud, and helps with the slippers project. ### [Amy's Valley of Humiliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-vii-amy-s-valley-of-humiliation) Jo defends Laurie when Amy misuses a word, and later supports Beth by letting Laurie win at chess after he praises Beth's musical talent. ### [Jo Meets Apollyon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-viii-jo-meets-apollyon) Struggles with her fiery temper after Amy burns her manuscript; refuses to forgive and isolates herself. ### [Meg Goes to Vanity Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-ix-meg-goes-to-vanity-fair) Helps Meg pack and offers practical advice; listens to Marmee's counsel and stoutly declares she'd rather be an old maid than an unhappy wife. ### [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 Augustus Snodgrass, Jo is the editor of The Pickwick Portfolio, revels in writing, and experiments with her garden of sunflowers. ### [XI: Experiments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xi-experiments) Jo enthusiastically embraces the experiment, spends time with Laurie, attempts to cook a disastrous dinner, and learns the value of work. ### [Camp Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xii-camp-laurence) Receives a letter from Marmee praising her efforts to control her temper; wears a comical large hat to the picnic; rows a boat and plays croquet. ### [Castles in the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-castles-in-the-air) Knitting and reading aloud, Jo is the lively organizer of the Busy Bee Society. She shares her dream of writing great books and encourages Laurie to break free from his grandfather's plans. ### [XIV: Secrets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xiv-secrets) Writes and submits stories, keeps secrets, and reveals her first published work to her family. ### [XV: A Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xv-a-telegram) Reveals her vanity over her hair after a private cry; reads the telegram aloud and assists with preparations. ### [Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xvi-letters) Sends a scribbled, emotional letter with a poem, confessing a quarrel with Laurie and her pride in making peace. ### [Little Faithful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xvii-little-faithful) Jo is recovering from a cold and is absorbed in her writing. She feels guilty for neglecting the Hummels and later helps care for Beth, showing her protective and impulsive nature. ### [Dark Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xviii-dark-days) Devotes herself to nursing Beth, sends for her mother, and finds comfort in Laurie's support. ### [Confidential](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xx-confidential) Jo is upset and resistant upon learning of John Brooke's intentions toward Meg, expressing a desire to keep Meg in the family and showing her protective, impulsive nature. ### [Laurie Makes Mischief, and Jo Makes Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xxi-laurie-makes-mischief-and-jo-makes-peace) Struggles to keep a secret, mediates between Laurie and his grandfather, and resists the temptation to run away. ### [Pleasant Meadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xxii-pleasant-meadows) Carries Beth around the house, helps create the snow-maiden gift, and receives praise from her father for becoming gentler and more motherly. ### [Aunt March Settles the Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xxiii-aunt-march-settles-the-question) Disapproves of Meg's romance, tries to intervene, but is shocked to find them engaged. ### [Gossip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv-gossip) Devotes herself to writing for the Spread Eagle and caring for Beth. She is ambitious, spinning romances and working on a manuscript for fame. ### [The First Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv-the-first-wedding) Jo's angles have softened over three years; she refrains from crying during the ceremony and later puts a posy in Laurie's buttonhole. ### [Artistic Attempts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi-artistic-attempts) Jo helps with decorations and agrees to be lively despite her disapproval, but her absent-mindedness causes accidents and breakages. ### [Literary Lessons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii-literary-lessons) Wins a writing prize, uses money for Beth's seaside trip, writes stories to support family, publishes her novel despite harsh criticism, and grows from the experience. ### [Calls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxix-calls) Reluctantly makes social calls, struggles with etiquette, and alternates between silent stiffness and embarrassing frankness about the family's poverty. ### [Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx-consequences) Struggles with disappointment over not being chosen for the Europe trip; tries to hide her bitterness and support Amy. ### [Our Foreign Correspondent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxi-our-foreign-correspondent) Referenced in Amy's letter with playful teasing about Jo's adventurous spirit and lack of artistic appreciation. ### [XXXII: Tender Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii-tender-troubles) Observes Beth and becomes convinced she loves Laurie; resolves to help her sister. ### [Jo's Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii-jo-s-journal) Narrates her experiences as a governess in New York, her friendship with Professor Bhaer, and her efforts at self-improvement. ### [A Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv-a-friend) Jo pursues writing sensation stories for money, later burns them after feeling ashamed, and ultimately values her friendship with Professor Bhaer. ### [Heartache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv-heartache) Refuses Laurie's marriage proposal, explaining they are not suited and she values her liberty. ### [Beth's Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi-beth-s-secret) Jo returns home and is the first to notice Beth's decline; she struggles with denial and grief, ultimately dedicating herself to Beth's care. ### [New Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvii-new-impressions) Jo is referenced nostalgically by Amy, who imagines Jo's longing to see Corsica. ### [Lazy Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxix-lazy-laurence) Referenced as the cause of Laurie's unhappiness; her rejection and busyness loom over the chapter. ### [XL: The Valley of the Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xl-the-valley-of-the-shadow) Jo becomes Beth's devoted nurse, sleeping in her room and rarely leaving her side. She writes a poem for Beth, renounces her old ambitions, and pledges to take Beth's place in caring for their parents. ### [Learning to Forget](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xli-learning-to-forget) Referenced as the object of Laurie's past love; her rejection spurs his initial efforts to improve. ### [XLII: All Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlii-all-alone) Grieving Beth's death, Jo struggles with despair and rebellion but gradually finds solace in family, duty, and writing. ### [Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xliii-surprises) Contemplates her age and future as a 'literary spinster,' then joyfully reunites with Laurie and Amy. ### [My Lord and Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xliv-my-lord-and-lady) Jo is present, teasing Laurie and showing her usual saucy spirit. She expresses happiness for Amy and Laurie, though with a sigh that hints at her own feelings for Professor Bhaer. ### [Daisy and Demi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlv-daisy-and-demi) Aunt Dodo, the chief playmate and confidante of the twins, whose attention shifts toward Professor Bhaer, causing dismay in the children. ### [Under the Umbrella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlvi-under-the-umbrella) Struggles with her feelings for Professor Bhaer, tries to conceal her emotions, and ultimately accepts his love, vowing to share the burdens of their future together. ### [Harvest Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlvii-harvest-time) Now married to Professor Bhaer, she inherits Plumfield and opens a school for boys, becoming 'Mother Bhaer' and finding great happiness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_march - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters