"A few" and "a little" give a positive idea; they indicate that something exists, is present. I have a few friends in Bangkok, I had a litlle free time so I visited a few temples here. "Few" and "little" (without "a") indicate that something is largely absent. "Very" (+ "few" / "little") makes the negative stronger, the number or amount smaller. I feel sorry for uneducated people because they have little chance of improving their lives. She has very few friends in Bangkok. Good question! Good luck on your essay.

a few = several few = now much

few few few few