Both Muriel and her father are portrayed as being self-centered and uncaring about the feelings of others. When Muriel is at her mother's funeral, she is horrified by the mention of her mother being proud of her daughter's wedding, since Muriel intentionally ignored her mother then. She hears her father say that he requested the quote from the prime minister about her mother and realizes she herself is just as guilty of wanting media attention for her wedding. But the main difference between them is that Muriel's father has a misplaced sense of arrogance and power, whereas Muriel has poor self-esteem. As the film progresses, Muriel becomes more sure of herself, while her father suffers a loss in his confidence.