The Treasure

by Kathleen Thompson Norris

"The Treasure" by Kathleen Thompson Norris is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story centers around the Salisbury family, particularly focusing on Mrs. Sally Salisbury, who struggles to manage her household amid the challenges of maintaining order and economy with the help of a servant named Lizzie. The narrative hints at the complications of household management and the issues of class and domesticity faced by women in that era. The opening of the book introduces the reader to the domestic struggles of the Salisbury household, emphasizing Mrs. Salisbury's meticulous nature and her conflicts with her wasteful maid, Lizzie. As Mrs. Salisbury frets over increased grocery bills due to Lizzie's careless ways, her family dynamics unravel—showing a daughter, Alexandra, who is indifferent to domestic duties, and two sons preoccupied with their own interests. The narrative sets the tone for exploring themes of societal expectations, evolving gender roles, and the quest for domestic efficiency, culminating in the arrival of Justine, the titular "Treasure," a graduate from a domestic science school who presents both hope and new dilemmas for the family.