Mary Barton is a headstrong young woman who desires to better herself. Why does Mary strive to do this? What does she find unsatisfying about her allotted station in life? How does she attempt to improve her situation?

Workers in the 1830s and 1840s were completely dependent on the owners of the factories and mills, only working if the owners deemed there was work. How does this tax the families of England? How do the workers survive when they can't find work but still need to feed their families? Do the owners care about the plight of their workers, or do anything to help them? Why or why not?

The novel Mary Barton contains several strong female characters. How does society treat women at this time? While women are able to work, are there any other freedoms that are denied to them? How do...