The Treasure

"The Treasure" by Kathleen Thompson Norris is a story that zooms in on the Salisbury family, highlighting Mrs. Sally Salisbury as she juggles the difficulties of running her home, aided by a servant named Lizzie. The story touches upon topics related to household management, along with issues of social class and women's roles in the home during that time. As the story begins, readers are shown the everyday struggles within the Salisbury household, zeroing in on Mrs. Salisbury's careful nature and her disagreements with Lizzie, who tends to be wasteful. As Mrs. Salisbury worries about rising grocery costs caused by Lizzie's carelessness, we see the family dynamics; a daughter, Alexandra, who doesn't care much for household tasks, and two sons who are wrapped up in their own things. The book introduces themes of society's expectations, changing roles for women, and the search for an efficient home with the arrival of Justine, the "Treasure," who has graduated from a school focused on domestic science and brings both possibilities and new challenges to the family.