Who has the power?

Power primarily operates in Small Things Like These based on gender, socioeconomic status, and collective and individual identities. The novel depicts how vulnerable young women and girls faced misogyny and exploitation. The Mother Superior communicates her contempt for girls when she assumes that Furlong must be disappointed at having only daughters. Although Furlong represents a threat to the Mother Superior because he, as a man, can cause trouble for her institution, she ultimately holds the upper hand. Furlong's daughters attend the only quality school for girls in the town, and the Mother Superior can easily revoke their places there.

Eileen reminds Furlong that the only reason Mrs. Wilson could support Furlong's mother was her wealth. Eileen sees class as an important factor that determines one's agency. Furlong ultimately disagrees when he decides to bring Sarah home on Christmas Eve. In this way, Furlong exercises the power he holds as an individual, free-thinking person, even if it will lead to conflict for his family.