the mother, Mrs. Mooney, enacts. From the beginning of the story, the reader is conveyed the message that the leading lady is a strong, stubborn, strict, overprotective and “imposing woman.” It appears she has everything in order from the way her business is efficiently running, and how she “govern[s] the house cunningly and firmly, knowing when to give credit, when to be stern and when to let things pass” (427)2. Having had a failed marriage, Mrs. Mooney would be in the right to want her daughter, Polly, to have security and the best future possible. But Polly, a nineteen-year-old girl, does not have her future in check yet. Mrs. Mooney knew the men who lodged in her house were not permanent fixtures, and therefore, did not worry about anything serious developing within the boarding house between any man and her daughter; however, a relationship did ensue between Polly and one of the guests, Mr. Doran. Polly and her lover kept the affair quiet, knowing Mrs. Mooney would not approve. Little did the two know that Polly’s mother was just turning a blind eye to the situation. Little did the two know of the future involvement Mrs. Mooney would have in their relationship. Little did the two know the extent to which Mrs. Mooney would go, for her motives were far and great. Mrs. Mooney did not physically interfere in the affair; rather, she remained oblivious to it. But, by not physically interfering in the relationship, she shrewdly allowed events to occur as she had hoped they would. After all, Mr. Doran was a good candidate for Polly: he “had been employed for thirteen years in a wine merchant’s office” and had money of his own, being at the mature age he was. The day came when Mrs. Mooney knew it was her time to step in. Polly was pregnant! This was a tragedy in society’s eyes, as Polly’s honour had been stripped away from a young, impressionable, unmarried girl. Mrs. Mooney ̶...
