Foil

Character Role Analysis

Elizabeth/Elizabeth's Mother-In-Law

Elizabeth and her mother-in-law are definitely two sides of the same coin. They are both referred to frequently simply as "the mother" at certain points, and they are united in their fear for Walt's safety (once they know it's in jeopardy).

That said, their handling of Walt's death reveals some differences as well. Walt's mom (who, by the way, never gets a name) is absolutely beside herself and starts crying fairly loudly. Meanwhile, Elizabeth tries to get her to be quiet (so as not to wake her kids) and is more stone-faced and calm.

Sure, you can argue that Elizabeth and the MIL are both thinking of their respective children here (and are therefore similar), but they are also operating in different emotional time zones:

When they arose, saw him lying in the naïve dignity of death, the women stood arrested in fear and respect. For a few moments they remained still, looking down, the old mother whimpering. Elizabeth felt countermanded. She saw him, how utterly inviolable he lay in himself. She had nothing to do with him. She could not accept it. Stooping, she laid her hand on him, in claim. He was still warm, for the mine was hot where he had died. His mother had his face between her hands, and was murmuring incoherently. The old tears fell in succession as drops from wet leaves; the mother was not weeping, merely her tears flowed. Elizabeth embraced the body of her husband, with cheek and lips. She seemed to be listening, inquiring, trying to get some connection. But she could not. She was driven away. He was impregnable. (2.118)

Are we the only ones who think it's kindasorta easy to lose track of which woman is which for a second here, since the MIL is identified as "the mother" (which has often been Elizabeth's title in the story)? Yet, their reactions are pretty opposite; the older woman is leaking tears and whimpering, and Elizabeth seems to be feeling utterly alienated, unable to connect to the situation in front of her. The mother-in-law generally seems more expressive, whereas Elizabeth stews in her emotions.