Mabel's Role in Frederick's Life

The Collector

Examines Frederick's aunt Mabel, her influence on him, and the domestic environment that shaped his isolation.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Aunt Mabel's Household Aunt Mabel's Household from "The Collector". A Restrictive Upbringing Living Situation Frederick lives with his aunt Mabel after his parents die. She is strict and controlling.

Aunt Mabel's Household from "The Collector". A Restrictive Upbringing Living Situation Frederick lives with his aunt Mabel after his parents die. She is strict and controlling.

A Restrictive Upbringing Living Situation Frederick lives with his aunt Mabel after his parents die. She is strict and controlling. Influence She discourages friends and hobbies. She keeps him close. Her influence contributes to his loneliness.

Mabel's Death Mabel's Death from "The Collector". A New Freedom Inheritance When Mabel dies, Frederick inherits her house and money. He is now free to act. Psychological Release Her death removes a restraint.

Mabel's Death from "The Collector". A New Freedom Inheritance When Mabel dies, Frederick inherits her house and money. He is now free to act. Psychological Release Her death removes a restraint.

A New Freedom Inheritance When Mabel dies, Frederick inherits her house and money. He is now free to act. Psychological Release Her death removes a restraint. He can now pursue his fantasy. He uses the inheritance to buy the remote house.

Frederick's Independence Frederick's Independence from "The Collector". Alone at Last Living Alone Frederick moves into his own house. He enjoys the solitude. He is free from Mabel's scrutiny.

Frederick's Independence from "The Collector". Alone at Last Living Alone Frederick moves into his own house. He enjoys the solitude. He is free from Mabel's scrutiny.

Alone at Last Living Alone Frederick moves into his own house. He enjoys the solitude. He is free from Mabel's scrutiny. The Dark Side His freedom is used for evil. Without her influence, he descends into his obsession. Mabel's absence is a catalyst.

Mabel's Values Mabel's Values from "The Collector". Internalized Morality Strict Beliefs Mabel instilled in Frederick a sense of order and propriety. He is neat, punctual, and repressed.

Mabel's Values from "The Collector". Internalized Morality Strict Beliefs Mabel instilled in Frederick a sense of order and propriety. He is neat, punctual, and repressed.

Internalized Morality Strict Beliefs Mabel instilled in Frederick a sense of order and propriety. He is neat, punctual, and repressed. Conflict These values clash with his crime. He tries to maintain normalcy, but his actions are anything but proper. Mabel's ghost haunts his conscience.

The Absence of Family The Absence of Family from "The Collector". No One to Question Isolation Frederick has no close family. Mabel is dead. No one checks on him.

The Absence of Family from "The Collector". No One to Question Isolation Frederick has no close family. Mabel is dead. No one checks on him.

No One to Question Isolation Frederick has no close family. Mabel is dead. No one checks on him. Freedom from Detection This allows him to keep Miranda for months. The lack of family ties is a factor in his getting away with the crime.

Mabel's Legacy Mabel's Legacy from "The Collector". The Weight of Her Memory Frederick's Reflection He sometimes thinks of Mabel, wondering what she would think. He believes she would not understand.

Mabel's Legacy from "The Collector". The Weight of Her Memory Frederick's Reflection He sometimes thinks of Mabel, wondering what she would think. He believes she would not understand.

The Weight of Her Memory Frederick's Reflection He sometimes thinks of Mabel, wondering what she would think. He believes she would not understand. Symbolism Mabel represents the conventional life he rejected. Her memory is a reminder of the path he did not take.

before the abduction

shortly before the abduction

after Mabel's death

in Frederick's memory

during captivity

after the crime