Social Classes

One of the more important themes in this novel is the idea that there are different social classes that make up society. Most of the people of Sweet Water are content to accept the social classification in which they are born. Adolph Blum, for instance, does not tell anyone of Mrs. Forrester's indiscretions with Frank Ellinger because he believes it would not be right for him to do so because he is of a lower social class than she. Adolph maintains the old fashioned idea that people such as Mrs. Forrester should be respected simply because of the place they hold in society. Ivy Peters, however, is one person who refuses to stay in his place. Even though he is coarse and ugly, Ivy Peter believes even as a teen that he is just as good as the Forresters. As an adult, Ivy Peters does what he...