Discussion Questions
- What do you notice about the illustration of the working girls on the cover of The Masses? What conclusions can you draw about the women selling newspapers in the photograph? What do you think they are trying to say about themselves through their clothing?
- What kinds of sacrifices did the character Mashah in Bread Givers, Clara Lemlich, and Sadie Frowne describe making when these working women chose to buy clothing and hat decorations for themselves? Why do you think they were willing to make these sacrifices?
- How were Mashah and Sadie Frowne perceived by others because of their clothes buying?
- What is the real issue behind Clara Lemlich’s demand that the working girls and women have a decent place to hang their hats at work?
