The Crisis of Scarlet Fever

Little Women

The scarlet fever epidemic tests the March household’s faith, secrecy, competence, and capacity to endure possible bereavement.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Hummel Exposure The Hummel Exposure from "Little Women". Illness Enters the Home Unprotected Service Elizabeth March visits the Hummels and holds the dying baby.

The Hummel Exposure from "Little Women". Illness Enters the Home Unprotected Service Elizabeth March visits the Hummels and holds the dying baby.

Illness Enters the Home Unprotected Service Elizabeth March visits the Hummels and holds the dying baby. Her service is morally generous but medically dangerous. Hidden Risk The family initially treats the danger as a manageable cold. Their ignorance delays full recognition of the crisis.

The Diagnosis The Diagnosis from "Little Women". Fear Confirmed Symptoms Elizabeth March develops headache, sore throat, and fever. Hannah summons Dr. Bangs and separates Amy Curtis March from the house.

The Diagnosis from "Little Women". Fear Confirmed Symptoms Elizabeth March develops headache, sore throat, and fever. Hannah summons Dr. Bangs and separates Amy Curtis March from the house.

Fear Confirmed Symptoms Elizabeth March develops headache, sore throat, and fever. Hannah summons Dr. Bangs and separates Amy Curtis March from the house. Moral Responsibility Josephine March blames herself for allowing Elizabeth March to go alone. The crisis turns earlier negligence into immediate fear.

The Darkened Room The Darkened Room from "Little Women". Identity Disappears Fever Speech Elizabeth March no longer recognizes familiar faces and calls for Mrs. March.

The Darkened Room from "Little Women". Identity Disappears Fever Speech Elizabeth March no longer recognizes familiar faces and calls for Mrs. March.

Identity Disappears Fever Speech Elizabeth March no longer recognizes familiar faces and calls for Mrs. March. The sickroom becomes a space where the child’s personality seems temporarily erased. Family Transformation Margaret March understands the wealth of health and love, Josephine March recognizes Elizabeth March’s moral beauty, and Amy Curtis March longs to return home.

The Telegram The Telegram from "Little Women". Mother Summoned Medical Decision Dr. Bangs advises that Mrs. March should leave Mr. March if possible.

Mother Summoned Medical Decision Dr. Bangs advises that Mrs. March should leave Mr. March if possible. Josephine March sends the telegram despite Hannah’s reluctance. Hope Reopens The message from Washington reports that Mr. March is improving. The family can now summon the mother without abandoning the father.

The Turning Fever The Turning Fever from "Little Women". Crisis Reversed Midnight Vigil Josephine March and Margaret March watch Elizabeth March through the night, expecting death.

The Turning Fever from "Little Women". Crisis Reversed Midnight Vigil Josephine March and Margaret March watch Elizabeth March through the night, expecting death.

Crisis Reversed Midnight Vigil Josephine March and Margaret March watch Elizabeth March through the night, expecting death. The house waits in helpless silence. Recovery Elizabeth March begins natural sleep and the fever turns. Her survival saves the household but leaves her permanently fragile.

ten days after Mrs. March’s departure

the same evening

the first week of severe fever

the first December morning

the night Mrs. March returns