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The Mother-in-Law

Sally Hepworth

The Mother-in-Law

Sally Hepworth

  • 50-page comprehensive Study Guide
  • Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis
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The Mother-in-Law Character Analysis

Lucy Goodwin

Once a successful recruiter, Lucy Goodwin leaves behind her career to pursue her dream of being a stay-at-home mother when she marries her husband, Ollie Goodwin. The daughter of a professor and a devoted mother, Lucy suffered the tragic loss of her mother at age 13. This loss fuels Lucy’s unyielding commitment to raising her family. The death of her complicated mother-in-law Diana Goodwin changes the course of Lucy’s life as she begins to question her life’s purpose.

A stylish and unique dresser, Lucy loves to wear bold prints and colors. An outsider to her husband's family’s wealthy and demure world, Lucy struggles to adapt to life as a Goodwin. Longing for a maternal figure, Lucy attempts to connect with Diana throughout the years and forge a deeper bond. Unfortunately, Diana’s cold demeanor and judgmental attitude drive Lucy to confront her mother-in-law in a violent push that threatens to tear the family apart. Eventually, the two women find a connection through their shared journey through grief. Through their newfound connection, Lucy learns the value of Diana’s tough lessons and evolves into a more independent and fulfilled version of herself when she returns to work to create a recruitment agency for refugees.

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