Mary Barton comes from a poor, working class family. Her father, John Barton, is a staunch supporter of worker’s rights. Mary’s beauty catches the eyes of many, including a fellow childhood friend of intelligent mind but lesser means, and the powerful, wealthy son of a factory owner. Mary comes across as kind-hearted and a delight to those who love her, but she is childish and ambitious. Truly loving her father, she believes she can improve his lot by pursuing one above her station, Mr. Harry Carson, while rejecting the advances of the ever-loyal Jem Wilson. The reader feels less than sympathetic towards her initially as a result, but then again one must recall that she is but a teenager when the story begins. What teen is not guilty of a bit of ambition?