A Woman Under the Influence - Characters & Cast

To be loved and to fulfill the roles of wife and mother, while struggling to contain a personality that is too large for those roles.

Starts as a woman desperately trying to please everyone; goes through a total psychological collapse; returns from the institution physically subdued but emotionally unchanged, eventually finding a fragile, defiant moment of self-acceptance.

To maintain the image of a strong, normal family and to protect Mabel, even if that protection requires hurting her.

Moves from a state of denial regarding his wife's health to an authoritative 'fixer' role; he experiences his own 'madness' while she is gone, only to realize he is just as incapable of being 'normal' as she is.

To preserve the social standing and sanity of her son, Nick, at any cost.

Remains a consistent force of traditional judgment; she is the one who ultimately triggers Mabel's institutionalization by refusing to tolerate her behavior.