Triangle :  The Fire that changed America

Discussion Questions

1. According to what you read, what were the workplace conditions in the early 1900's? 

2.  What was the actual cause of the fire? 

3.  Why would the author say that “the fire was not caused by a careless cigarette, but by social, industrial, and labor forces summed to that point”?

4.  What was the impact of the Triangle fire on labor and worker safety?

5. In what ways did social and industrial  forces change after the fire?

6. About 250 workers were in the building at the time of the fire, what were some of the obstacles that impeded, or in some cases, prevented their escape?

7. The owners were found “not guilty”, do you think the evidence support this sentence?  What was some of the evidence uncovered after the fire?

8. What do you think the author’s motive was in writing the book?  Do you think the he exploits and sensationalizes the horrific event in order to write a good book?

9. What did you find surprising about the information in the book? 

10. How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?