Bess = Beth?

Elyse Liesl · 02-13-2007, 02:58 AM

Hi!
My friends and i were just rereading the march family series (little women, little men, jo's boys) and were trying to figure out if Amy and Lauries daughter Bess in Little Men is the same daughter they had in Little Women, who was called Beth and implied to be dying?? Anyone know???
Thanks!
Elyse

pooday · 06-01-2007, 01:11 PM

I beleive that Amy and Lauries Daughter Bess (Or Beth) was frail but not dying. Beth on the other hand (Amy's sister) did die and that is why Laurie and Amy named their daughter Bess... after Beth. I guess it's kind of confusing.

RJbibliophil · 06-05-2007, 10:57 PM

Yes, that is correct.

Beth (Elizabeth) March
Bess Laurie, also known as Princess

Elyse Liesl · 06-16-2007, 03:57 AM

Oh it's not the difference between Beth March and Bess Laurence i'm talking about. Theres a scene at the very end of little women (or good wives in some editions) where everyone is at plumfield i think, and jo has her two sons, and meg has the twins, and amy and laurie have a little daughter who they have named Beth (obviously after Beth March) who is described as frail and implied to be very ill. Then in little men, Amy and Laurie's daughter is called Bess, and i just wasn't sure if Bess was a second daughter and Beth (Laurence) has died, or if it is the same child.

BloomingRose · 02-02-2009, 04:18 PM

I believe Bess is just another nickname for the name Elizabeth... If Amy had another girl, I think Alcott would have let us know :P
I was wondering the same thing

Emmy Castrol · 03-14-2009, 01:31 AM

Beth would be short for Elizabeth I suppose, as would Bess.

If little 'Beth' from Little Women died, I don't imagine that Amy and Laurie would name the second daughter they had Elizabeth as well.

So from this I can only assume that the Beth at the end of Little Women is the same as the Bess in Little Men and Jo's Boys.

Plus it adds to the romance... how she began frail and weak and turned out to be a beautiful young woman.

I do think it was unfair of Jo to give the advice to Dan not to pursue Bess though...

Sk8ynat · 03-14-2009, 01:46 AM

I agree Emmy! I always wondered what Dan and Bess would've been like together.

I suppose that it is for the best though, Bess would've been horribly heart broken when Dan died if they had a closer relationship.

02-13-2007, 02:58 AM	#1
Elyse Liesl Elyse Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5	Bess = Beth? Hi! My friends and i were just rereading the march family series (little women, little men, jo's boys) and were trying to figure out if Amy and Lauries daughter Bess in Little Men is the same daughter they had in Little Women, who was called Beth and implied to be dying?? Anyone know??? Thanks! Elyse

06-05-2007, 10:57 PM	#3
RJbibliophil Piglet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Prairie Posts: 2,145	Yes, that is correct. Beth (Elizabeth) March Bess Laurie, also known as Princess __________________ When ideas fail, words come in very handy. Count to 10,000 and down to -10,000!

03-14-2009, 01:46 AM	#7
Sk8ynat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 57	I agree Emmy! I always wondered what Dan and Bess would've been like together. I suppose that it is for the best though, Bess would've been horribly heart broken when Dan died if they had a closer relationship. __________________ She is too fond of books and it has addled her brainLouisa May Alcott However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace Acts 20:24 It takes so little to make a child happy that it is a pity, in a world so full of sunshine and pleasant things, that there should be any wistful faces, empty hands, or lonely little hearts. Louisa May Alcott

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06-01-2007, 01:11 PM	#2
pooday Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	I beleive that Amy and Lauries Daughter Bess (Or Beth) was frail but not dying. Beth on the other hand (Amy's sister) did die and that is why Laurie and Amy named their daughter Bess... after Beth. I guess it's kind of confusing.

06-16-2007, 03:57 AM	#4
Elyse Liesl Elyse Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 5	Oh it's not the difference between Beth March and Bess Laurence i'm talking about. Theres a scene at the very end of little women (or good wives in some editions) where everyone is at plumfield i think, and jo has her two sons, and meg has the twins, and amy and laurie have a little daughter who they have named Beth (obviously after Beth March) who is described as frail and implied to be very ill. Then in little men, Amy and Laurie's daughter is called Bess, and i just wasn't sure if Bess was a second daughter and Beth (Laurence) has died, or if it is the same child.

02-02-2009, 04:18 PM	#5
BloomingRose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Argentina Posts: 17	I believe Bess is just another nickname for the name Elizabeth... If Amy had another girl, I think Alcott would have let us know :P I was wondering the same thing

03-14-2009, 01:31 AM	#6
Emmy Castrol Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 72	Beth would be short for Elizabeth I suppose, as would Bess. If little 'Beth' from Little Women died, I don't imagine that Amy and Laurie would name the second daughter they had Elizabeth as well. So from this I can only assume that the Beth at the end of Little Women is the same as the Bess in Little Men and Jo's Boys. Plus it adds to the romance... how she began frail and weak and turned out to be a beautiful young woman. I do think it was unfair of Jo to give the advice to Dan not to pursue Bess though...