Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Max von Mayerling

Max helps facilitate Joe's entrance into Norma's nightmarish world. Unfortunately, he's not really a guide with Joe's best interests at heart, although he's been in Joe's position before (since Max was Norma's first husband). He corners Joe into Norma's world—for instance, by moving Joe's luggage into Norma's mansion without Joe asking him to—while at the same time helping him navigate that world. He explains why the doors in the house don't have locks, for instance (to prevent Norma from locking herself in a room and committing suicide). Although Max is attached to Norma, he seems to look on Joe's relationship with her with a mixture of terror and pity. At the same time, he actually acts against Joe by helping Norma retain her crazy illusions.