The Wealth of Nations · Character
Menial Servants
Domestic workers whose labor produces no lasting commodity, the class Smith uses to mark the line between productive hands and unproductive ones.
supporting
Also known as menial servants, Their, their
First appearance: iii of the accumulation of capital or of productive and unproductive labour
As a supporting figure in The Wealth of Nations, Menial Servants is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Domestic servants whose wages and maintenance are fixed regardless of output; contrasted with independent workmen.
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They keep the household running but leave nothing behind that can be sold or reinvested, which makes them Smith's sharpest illustration of what a nation's stock actually grows on. Their dependence on a master's purse…
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See Menial Servants in iii of the accumulation of capital or of productive and unproductive labourCharacter Web
16 connectionsA slice of how Menial Servants sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Labor and wage dynamics
- Ancient authorities and examples
- Diverse authorities and generic roles
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Smi…
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Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Silver
professional · ambivalent
Menial servants and Silver have a professional relationship, likely involving service or… How this plays out →
- Silver
professional · ambivalent
Menial servants and Silver have a professional relationship, likely involving service or… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
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See Menial Servants in iii of the accumulation of capital or of productive and unproductive labourIn the story
Menial Servants appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
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See Menial Servants in iii of the accumulation of capital or of productive and unproductive labour