Mildred Pierce Essay Questions

What is the significance of Bert admitting to killing Monte in the beginning of the film?

Bert is Mildred's first husband and father to Veda and Kay. He has left Mildred years prior, but on the night of Monte's murder he is a suspect and pleads guilty. The significance of him admitting to the crime rather than denying it is that it shows that he is willing to cover for the women in his family, and take the fall for them. He doesn't know who killed Monte, but knows that it was either Mildred or Veda. The fact that Bert doesn't deny the accusation that he killed Monte shows just how much he is willing to sacrifice for Mildred, confirming that he is one of the only good men in her life.

What is the significance of Curtiz filming Mildred in such darkness after declaring bankruptcy and when she walks in on Monte and Veda?

Mildred is seen in both of these scenes with no light on her face. Both when she learns that her franchise is going bankrupt and when she stumbles in on her daughter having an affair with her husband, she is literally in the dark. This has an obvious symbolic meaning, in that it signifies that she is also figuratively in the dark, the last to know these horrible life-shattering secrets.

Why does Mildred take such abuse from Veda for so long?

Mildred says early on to Bert that her happiness does not matter as much as the happiness of their children, and this is one of the major points of contention between them. We see that Mildred is willing to sacrifice herself in order for her children have the kind of life she never had. While this is a selfless show of love and affection, it becomes delusional the more exploitative and abusive Veda becomes. Because Mildred did not have as many opportunities as Veda when she was young, she wants to make sure her daughter enjoys more privileges. Her projective ambition for her children has blinded her to just how ungrateful and spiteful Veda really is. The film suggests that Mildred's maternal instinct is so strong as to blind her to its ineffectuality.

Does the film qualify as a film noir?

Mildred Pierce has many of the trappings of a film noir, stylistically, thematically, and in terms of plot. While the protagonist is not a hardboiled detective a la Humphrey Bogart, Mildred Pierce falls into the role of the traditional noir male, a figure who is haunted by trauma and just trying to do their best in a world that seems determined to knock them down. Veda and Monte share the role of femme fatale, constantly charming Mildred, the hardworking "lone wolf" protagonist, into deeper and deeper trouble. Additionally, the style of the film, with its shadowy detective's office, its booze-and-cigarettes style, and post-Depression grit, lines up with the attributes of the traditional film noir.

What is the paradox at the center of Mildred and Veda's impossible relationship?

Mildred and Veda are in a self-fulfilling and completely impossible arrangement. Mildred makes many sacrifices to win Veda's affection and ensure her happiness. However, the more she sacrifices and gives to her daughter, the more distant and vindictive Veda becomes; it is as though every time Mildred feeds Veda, Veda becomes hungrier and less grateful. Additionally, Veda looks down on her mother for having to work, even though her mother's work is precisely what is giving her the lifestyle she feels she so deserves. There is no possible way for Mildred to please her daughter; if she stops working, she will be poor and Veda will leave, and if she works to provide for Veda, Veda looks down on her for having to work.