All the Years of Her Life

by Morley Callaghan

Start Free Trial

Discussion Topic

Mrs. Higgins' personality and character in "All the Years of Her Life"

Summary:

Mrs. Higgins is portrayed as a calm and composed woman who handles crises with dignity and strength. She demonstrates patience and wisdom, especially in dealing with her son's troubles. Her ability to remain steady and provide support reflects her deep maternal instincts and resilience.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

What is Mrs. Higgins' character like in "All the Years of Her Life"?

Mrs. Higgins is "large and plump".  She has blue eyes, and for most of the duration of the story, she is dressed in a light coat pulled tightly across her chest "so her dress would not show".  Her hair is tucked "loosely under her hat".

Mrs. Higgins is a formidable personality.  When the situation calls for it, she can be angry and bitter, emotional, or friendly and, by all appearances, completely in charge of a situation.  When Alfred realizes his mother will be coming to in after he has been caught stealing at work, he envisions her rushing in "with her eyes blazing, or maybe she would be crying...and make him feel her dreadful contempt, yet he longed that she might come".  As it turns out, Mrs. Higgins sizes up the situation immediately, and, with complete "lack of terror and...simplicity", reasons with "patient dignity" with Alfred's boss, Mr. Carr, and persuades...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

him to allow Alfred to go home with her rather than be arrested.  Mr. Carr ends up thinking that Mrs. Higgins is "a fine woman", and he even feels "a bit ashamed" for having planned to call the police in the face of "her vast tolerance". 

Later, as she is walking home with Alfred, Mrs. Higgins' demeanor changes, and she expresses ire and bitterness.  She makes Alfred "feel afraid".

Although Mrs. Higgins puts up a good front for people when she needs to, showing amazing versatility and insight as to what behavior will work in different situations, the appearance of strength which she exudes takes a great toll on her emotionally.  After the incident at the drugstore, she sits alone in the kitchen, her face "frightened, broken", her hands trembling, and she seems "very old".  Clearly Mrs. Higgins is not all she appears to be - tough and capable on the outside, she is desperately fragile on the inside.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Describe Mrs. Higgins' personality in "All the Years of Her Life".

Mrs. Higgins is a well rounded character in "All the Years of her Life." As a reader you get to see different sides of her personality. She at first comes across as calm and collected, friendly and devoted to her son, even though he keeps disappointing her. Once she and Alfred get in the car, however, the cracks in her strong personality start to show, and weakness becomes apparent. Mrs. Higgins, it becomes clear, though she may portray a exterior calm, is clearly fragile on the inside.

Approved by eNotes Editorial