Mildred Pierce is by far my favorite character we’ve read about, so far. The confidence and self-assurance that, unfortunately, too many women lack, Mildred demonstrates with entirety. She is a single mother supporting her family during the greatest economic crisis in U.S. history. The essence of her character, and the “sure of herself” mentality that she possesses throughout the story, should garner the admiration of all women. Mildred always puts her family before herself and her feelings. While Mildred’s husband, Bert, visits her, he plays with his youngest daughter, Ray. “As he raised the child high in the air, Mildred had to turn her head, for it seemed to her that she loved Bert more than she could love any man, so that her heart was a great stifling pain.” On the next page, Mildred shifts mind sets and remembers the car Bert took when he left. She tricks Bert out of the keys, and finally obtains a reasonable form of transportation to work. While Mildred still loves Bert, the compulsion to provide for her girls takes precedence over the possibility of mending her and her husband’s relationship. Mildred loves her daughters and thinks highly of her eldest, Veda. Veda is a pretentious snob, but Mildred thinks the world of her and covets her approval.
So far, I think this story is great. I love Cain’s style of writing, easy to read with a touch sarcasm, and I look forward to finishing the book. Rock on Mildred Pierce.
