The Littles

The first four chapters of The Littles introduce the titular family of tiny people and demonstrate the lengths they go to in order to maintain their secret life within the walls of the Biggs’ home. These chapters also introduce the Newcombs, whose presence in the Biggs’ home creates conflict for the Littles.

The Littles’ lifestyle highlights The Importance of Adaptability and Resourcefulness. Though the Biggs don’t know anything about their existence, the Littles depend on them entirely: The Biggs’ leftovers and miscellaneous objects are essential to the Littles’ survival. For instance, Granny Little knits a sweater for Tom using the yarn from an unraveled sock that belonged to a Bigg, which “had a real bad hole in the toe” (11). The Littles also rely on the Biggs for food, squirreling away bits of their leftovers: “When the Biggs had roast beef for dinner, the Littles had roast beef for dinner too” (9). They are too small to go out into the world and procure their own food and necessities, so they manage with taking bits and pieces from the Biggs. Although the world was not built for the Littles, they are able to make their lives comfortable by finding creative solutions to the problems they face as little people.

These chapters also show the importance of Focusing on Cleanliness and Order, which is second nature for the Littles. In return for their use of the Biggs’ food and objects, the Littles “helped the Biggs […]. Only the Biggs didn’t know it” (10). For example, the Littles repair the house’s old wiring “whenever [the Biggs] need it;” additionally, they “[are] good plumbers, too” (10). The Littles do such a great job maintaining the Biggs house that Mr. Bigg boasts about how he has “less trouble with [the] old house than [his] neighbors do with their brand-new houses” (10). The Littles put effort into making their home—and the Biggs’ home—not just livable but comfortable and ordered.

The Littles’ focus on cleanliness and order comes up again when the Newcombs temporarily move into the Biggs’ house for the summer. Before the Newcombs arrive, the Littles express apprehension about their new neighbors. Uncle Pete worries that the new inhabitants will be strangers and that “they [might] bring a cat with them” (13). This uncertainty and the Littles’ fears about cats foreshadow their upcoming conflict with the Newcombs. As soon as the Newcombs arrive for their extended stay in the Biggs’ house, Mr. Newcomb tells Mrs. Newcomb, “Forget about housework,” adding that he himself is “fixing nothing and […] doing nothing” (19). He says: “If the faucets drip, let ‘em drip! I may not even take out the garbage” (19). The Newcombs stay true to their word, and a week later, Uncle Pete observes how the house is a mess and that he’d “rather have trouble with a cat than eat [the Newcombs’] cooking” (21). In response to the mess, Granny Little warns that there might be mice because of the mess. The resulting issues arising from the Newcombs’ neglect of the Biggs’ house develop the idea that they should take care of the environment in which they live, lest they create unsanitary, dangerous conditions for themselves and others.

These chapters also characterize each member of the Little family. Mr. Little is the caring and optimistic patriarch who reassures the family when concerns about the Newcombs arise. He optimistically suggests the Newcombs will likely be good people because “[if] they’re good enough for the Biggs, they’re good enough for the Littles” (13). He also reassures Granny that there will be no mice, saying that she’s “thinking of the old days. This is nothing like the old days” (22). Uncle Pete, on the other hand, is Mr. Little’s foil. He regularly expresses caution and concern when Mr. Little is optimistic. Uncle Pete brings up concerns about cats, poor housekeeping, and bad food when the Newcombs arrive. The children, Tom and Lucy, are also shown to have opposing characteristics. While Tom is brave and outgoing, accompanying his father on outings and asserting he wouldn’t be afraid of a cat, Lucy is fearful and easily worried. This sets the stage for each character’s arc throughout the novel, as Tom’s bravery helps him protect his family and Lucy eventually overcomes her fears.

Finally, these chapters have some detailed illustrations of the Littles and their interactions with the Biggs’ home. These illustrations highlight the Littles’ small size when compared to regular-sized everyday objects like rulers, spools, and flatware. These illustrations also show how the Littles are resourceful and adaptable in their environment, offering a different viewpoint than text alone for their various tools and items.