North of Boston · Theme

Class and Economic Struggle

How North of Boston develops Class and Economic Struggle.

Economic hardship and class distinctions are evident in 'The Death of the Hired Man,' where Silas is dependent on others' charity, and in 'A Servant to Servants,' where a woman's endless domestic labor reflects her trapped circumstances.

Where it surfaces

A Hundred Collars
The contrast between Doctor Magoon's scholarly, middle-class demeanor and Lafe's working-class, itinerant job highlights economic and social divisions.
Blueberries
The Lorens' reliance on wild berries for sustenance highlights economic necessity and thrift in a rural community.
The Housekeeper
The family's financial difficulties are evident: the farm is run down, the mortgage exceeds the property's value, and they rely on beadwork and poultry to get by.