# Marmee March — Little Women character guide > Marmee March in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. March, Mother, Marmee **First appearance:** 0001-little-women ## Who they are The March sisters' wise and loving mother, whose return at six o'clock brightens the whole house and whose patient counsel steadies Jo's wildest schemes. ## Relationships ### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_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_ Marmee is a loving, wise mother to Meg, guiding her through domestic life and marriage. ### [Laurie Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/laurie_laurence) _family_ Laurie regards Marmee as a second mother, and she treats him with warm maternal care. ### [Amy March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/amy_march) _family_ Amy shares a loving, respectful relationship with her mother Marmee, who encourages her artistic pursuits. ### [Beth March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/beth_march) _family_ Beth is deeply attached to Marmee, who nurtures her fragile health and quiet spirit. ### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_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_ Marmee is a loving, wise mother to Meg, guiding her through domestic life and marriage. ### [Jo March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/jo_march) _family_ Jo shares a deeply affectionate and respectful bond with her mother Marmee, who guides and supports her. ### [Laurie Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/laurie_laurence) _family_ Laurie regards Marmee as a second mother, and she treats him with warm maternal care. ### [Amy March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/amy_march) _family_ Amy shares a loving, respectful relationship with her mother Marmee, who encourages her artistic pursuits. ### [Meg March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/meg_march) _family_ Marmee is a loving, wise mother to Meg, guiding her through domestic life and marriage. ### [Laurie Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/laurie_laurence) _family_ Laurie regards Marmee as a second mother, and she treats him with warm maternal care. ## In the story ### [Little Women Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/little-women) The wise and loving mother who guides her daughters through hardship with patience and moral lessons. ### [Playing Pilgrims](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-i-playing-pilgrims) Reads the father's letter aloud; proposes the Pilgrim's Progress game as a real-life guide; suggests the girls find their guidebook under their pillows on Christmas morning. ### [II: A Merry Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-ii-a-merry-christmas) Gives the girls their books; leads the charity visit to the Hummels; receives homemade gifts from her daughters. ### [Burdens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-iv-burdens) Tells a story to the girls to teach them gratitude and contentment. ### [Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-vi-beth-finds-the-palace-beautiful) Encourages Beth's gratitude project and supports her daughters' friendships with the Laurences. ### [Amy's Valley of Humiliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-vii-amy-s-valley-of-humiliation) Mrs. March comforts Amy after her punishment but uses the experience to teach her about modesty and the folly of conceit. ### [Jo Meets Apollyon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-viii-jo-meets-apollyon) Gently counsels Jo to forgive before nightfall, but her advice is not heeded. ### [Meg Goes to Vanity Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-ix-meg-goes-to-vanity-fair) Gives Meg a heartfelt talk about the true value of love, marriage, and self-respect over wealth and fashion. ### [XI: Experiments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xi-experiments) Marmee orchestrates the experiment as a lesson, provides gentle guidance, and secretly ensures the girls are not truly hungry. ### [Camp Laurence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xii-camp-laurence) Writes a letter of encouragement to Jo; observes Meg's growing womanliness with satisfaction. ### [XIV: Secrets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xiv-secrets) Proud of Jo's achievement upon learning of the publication. ### [XV: A Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xv-a-telegram) Receives the telegram, remains composed, and organizes the household for her departure to Washington. ### [Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xvi-letters) Departs for Washington, leaving the girls with instructions to work, hope, and stay united. ### [Dark Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xviii-dark-days) Away in Washington with Mr. March; is sent for and expected to arrive. ### [Confidential](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xx-confidential) Mrs. March returns home exhausted but joyful, confides in Jo about John Brooke's honorable proposal, and shares her wisdom on love, patience, and the true riches of a good heart. ### [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) Comforts Meg, scolds Laurie, and manages the household with wisdom and patience. ### [Pleasant Meadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xxii-pleasant-meadows) Grateful for her husband's letter and Beth's recovery, she wears a brooch made of family hair. ### [Aunt March Settles the Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xxiii-aunt-march-settles-the-question) Supports Meg and John, reflecting on the year's changes. ### [Gossip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv-gossip) Brisk and cheery, though grayer, she is absorbed in Meg's wedding and offers wise advice on housekeeping and marriage. ### [The First Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv-the-first-wedding) The mother hides a secret sorrow at losing her first child to marriage, but her heart rejoices at Meg's trust in John. ### [Artistic Attempts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi-artistic-attempts) Marmee advises Amy on the luncheon plans, gently suggesting simplicity over extravagance, and supports her through the preparations. ### [Literary Lessons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii-literary-lessons) Accompanies Beth to the seaside, feels ten years younger, advises Jo to seek outside criticism for her novel. ### [Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx-consequences) Advises Jo to bear the disappointment cheerfully and later praises Amy's choice to respond with kindness. ### [XXXII: Tender Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii-tender-troubles) Expresses worry about Beth's spirits and asks Jo to investigate. ### [Jo's Journal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii-jo-s-journal) Addressed in Jo's letter; Jo mentions her mother's flannels and advice. ### [Heartache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv-heartache) Calls Jo inside, inadvertently interrupting Laurie's playing. ### [Beth's Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi-beth-s-secret) Marmee silently perceives Beth's condition upon their return and reaches out for comfort from Jo. ### [XL: The Valley of the Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xl-the-valley-of-the-shadow) Marmee is a constant presence, helping to care for Beth and preparing her for the end. She guides Beth through her final days with love and tenderness. ### [XLII: All Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlii-all-alone) Comforts Jo with patient tenderness and silent wisdom, helping her bear her grief. ### [Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xliii-surprises) Observes Amy's transformation with pride, noting love's effect on her youngest daughter. ### [My Lord and Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xliv-my-lord-and-lady) Mrs. March observes the young couple with satisfaction, feeling a mother's relief that Amy is happily settled. She also shows a tender moment with Amy, asking forgiveness for her maternal covetousness. ### [Daisy and Demi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlv-daisy-and-demi) The grandmother who watches over Daisy with untiring devotion, seeing a resemblance to Beth. ### [Under the Umbrella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlvi-under-the-umbrella) Subtly encourages Jo's relationship with the Professor by sending her on errands and inviting him to tea. ### [Harvest Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xlvii-harvest-time) The matriarch, who supports Jo's plan and is touched by her daughters' gratitude at the harvest festival. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/marmee_march - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters