Carnegie's Maid

Wealth is used for a variety of different purposes in the novel. Some purposes are depicted as good, and some are depicted as bad. Think of an example of each type and describe it. How does the author distinguish between those purposes that are good and those that are bad?

How are letters used in the novel? Who writes them and why? In your opinion, is the truth disclosed in letters or obscured in them? Why might this be so?

Why is Clara chosen by her parents as the most suitable member of the family to go to America? What aspects of her character would suggest this? How does her family’s decision to send her, rather than either of her sisters, reflect certain values?

No one in Carnegie’s Maid is truly who they seem to be. Everyone is playing one or more roles. Aside from Andrew and Clara, think of two other characters who also play roles. What roles do they play and for what purpose? Do they seem to accomplish their purpose through playing these roles?

Clara perceives that Andrew behaves in contradictory ways. Think of a few ways in which his behavior doesn’t match up to his sentiments. Do you think he is aware of his own inconsistency? What defense might he offer for his behavior? Does his inconsistency affect his likeability as a character? Why or why not?

What is the class system? How does it operate in the book to shape behavior? Does it impact only the lower classes or others as well? How might the class system in America be compared to that of Ireland? Does the class system impact your understanding of why people emigrated to America?

Libraries can be found everywhere in the novel. Explain Andrew’s attachment to them. Does Clara share his view? How might public libraries be seen as the fulfillment of democratic ideals?

In what ways is literacy or education shown to lead to wealth? Does Clara uphold this connection, or does she disrupt it? In what ways does the novel show how education or literacy both upholds and disrupts the class system?