The House at Riverton

Research the factual history of life “upstairs” and “downstairs” in an aristocratic home in the early 20th century. How realistic do you think Grace’s story is? Where you identify places where fiction deviates from historical reality, why do you think Morton has made these choices.

Despite her intelligence and rebellion, Hannah’s attempts at personal agency are consistently thwarted or redirected. Discuss how her experiences reflect the limitations of her world and how much is the result of her personal choices.

Choose a Gothic novel you enjoy. Compare and contrast this to The House at Riverton, paying particular attention to how Gothic tropes and generic conventions are employed.

Compare and contrast the characters of Alfred Steeple and Robbie Hunter. How do these two men represent competing visions of post–World War I masculinity and the different paths available to men outside the traditional aristocracy?

How does Morton use the physical landscape of Riverton to foreshadow the central tragedy?

In what ways does the master-servant relationship between Grace and Hannah explore the traditional class hierarchy of early 20th-century England?

The mother-daughter relationship between Grace and Ruth is uneasy. How does this intersect with the novel’s wider treatment of parent-child relationships?

The novel portrays World War I as a catalyst for social change, particularly for the servant class. Analyze how minor characters like Nancy, Alfred and Katie exemplify this change.