Character Analysis
Carlota works for the Patimkins as a maid. Neil describes her as a "Navaho-faced Negro" (2.74), which kind of makes us cringe. We are meant to puzzle over his word choice, and at the same time question the morality of having servants, particularly those from marginalized classes. Of course, Carlota is paid for her work, and her work is valuable. If we criticize the Patimkins for hiring her, we fall into the trap of saying one kind of work is better than another. At the same time, we need to consider how limited the choices of profession were for non-whites and women in 1950s America. Since Neil doesn't get to know her beyond her capacity as employee in the Patimkin household, she's more of a thought-provoking device than a real character.