# Old Mr. Laurence — Little Women character guide

> Old Mr. Laurence in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Laurence, James Laurence

**First appearance:** 0004-part-i-iii-the-laurence-boy

## Snapshot

The formidable neighbor whose gruff exterior hides a generous heart, he watches the March girls with a grandfather's tenderness he can barely admit.

## Who they are

As Laurie's guardian and the wealthiest man in the neighborhood, Mr. Laurence occupies a position of quiet power that could easily isolate him, yet he finds himself drawn into the March family's orbit through his grandson's friendship with Jo. His stern manner and heavy eyebrows mask a profound loneliness and a desperate wish to be needed, which surfaces when he offers everything from his dressing-gown to his personal escort during the March family crisis. His tentative generosity toward Beth and his willingness to bridge the gap between his grand house and the modest one next door make him the emotional hinge on which the story's cross-class connections turn.

## In the story

### [Being Neighborly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-v-being-neighborly)

Returns home during Jo's visit; initially gruff, he is won over by Jo's honesty and compliments her grandfather.

### [Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-vi-beth-finds-the-palace-beautiful)

Kindly invites Beth to play the piano, gifts her his granddaughter's piano, and is touched by her gift of slippers.

### [Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-i-xvi-letters)

Writes a brief, kind note offering support and funds, and reporting that the girls are well.

### [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)

Shakes Laurie in anger over the prank, but later is persuaded by Jo to apologize.

### [Heartache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv-heartache)

Learns of Jo's refusal from her and decides to take Laurie away to help him heal.

### [Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/chapters/part-ii-xliii-surprises)

Returns from Europe improved in temper, beaming at 'my children' Laurie and Amy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters/old_mr_laurence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_women_se/characters