2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Mrs. O’Neal wasn’t interested in Keely returning home but was willing to capitalize financially on her circumstances. Was this unique to this family or more a reflection on the tough life in the tenements?

I think it was a bit of both: of the harsh realities of living in tenements.

I would agree, Charlene, though Mrs. O’Neal was quite the mercenary. We learn more about her from her daughter-in-law, Iris, who seemed to tell the truth about her.

Definitely the harsh realities women faced at that time. Maeve's descriptions of her own experiences in relation to Keely's brings it all into cruel focus.

It was particularly bad for women when you think about it. There's no birth control and they keep having children that they can't feed, so mothers are only too happy for their children to leave or even throw them out, especially daughters as sons can at least work.

Just an awful time for women. They were completely at the mercy of men.