Esther Waters

"Esther Waters" by George Moore is a story centered around a young woman finding her way in the world. The novel tells the story of Esther, a strong kitchen maid who deals with problems with social class and figuring out who she is while working at a big estate called Woodview. The story begins at a train station, where Esther feels nervous about starting her new job. The reader learns that Esther is a hard worker but also a little unsure of herself, and is wanting to leave her past behind. As she goes to the estate, she meets William, who helps her with her bags. Their talk shows that Esther is hopeful, setting the scene for Esther's adventure in learning about herself while dealing with the strict rules of social class and striving for a better life.