Do you agree with Lucy's views on class in America? Where do you see the themes of class and money appearing in the book?

"I have never really understood the whole class business in America, because I came from the very bottom of it, and when that happens it never really leaves you," Lucy says. Do you agree with her?

Where do you see the themes of class and money appearing in the book?

There will always be the haves and the have nots. Class was clearly seen with Catherine's poor upbringing in a two room house, yet she golfed and knew what to do at resort vacations. Lucy also grew up poor but she did not know what to do in certain situations that were unfamiliar.

Lucy’s thoughts on class really resonated with me. Many enclaves, many individuals discover their experiences don’t prepare them to fit into primary groups. This statement may sound vague, but being raised in poverty, in a separatist religious environment, and other similar situations, has a profound impact on assimilation. Lucy pointed out that her siblings couldn’t adapt so stayed where they were, while Lucy and David felt, if not inferior, then not totally accepted due to their origins. Catherine deliberately denied her origin and made Lucy feel inferior, but who know what she actually felt?

Woven throughout were examples of money and class based judgment and choices, it seems to be a central theme of the book—Catherine’s behavior toward Lucy and Lucy’s comfort level with David are just two examples.

I would be remiss not to mention that the same issues apply within and across racial groups

I agree with Lucy's feelings on class in America. She knows from her experiences growing up that without the help of a great school counselor she would probably be like her siblings. She was able to physically move on but in her heart and mind she always felt insecure and like she didn't fit in. Catherine, also was able to pull herself out of poverty but never really came to terms with her background. She filled her life with material objects. Catherine's feelings toward Lucy really brought the issues to the surface, as Catherine continually tried to change (Fix) Lucy, yet always reminded everyone that Lucy came from nothing. Both women continued to feel the insecurities of their early life, no matter how far they moved on in life, those early experiences never left them.