Mildred Pierce Chapters 1-10

Bert Leaves Mildred

1 CE

Bert Pierce, a (formerly) prosperous landowner, leaves his wife, Mildred, to go to his mistress, Maggie Biederhof.
"He hesitated. Then: 'Well, good-bye, Mildred.'
With jerky steps, she walked over to the wall, stood leaning on it, with her face hidden, then beat on it once or twice, helplessly, with her fists."

Mildred tells the children

2

Mildred has to reveal to her two children, Veda and Ray, that their father has left and she has no idea if he's coming back. Ray begins to cry, while Veda remains cold.

Mildred sleeps with Wally Burgan

3

Mildred, several days after Bert left, slept with his business partner, Wally Burgan.
"In spite of the way in which she had followed all instructions, and the way he had justified all predictions, she still didn't know what she wanted to do about wally." (35)

Mildred gets a job as a housekeeper

4

Mildred, after multiple rejections in sales positions, turns to housekeeping where she meets Mrs. Forrester, not long after she promptly left.
"picking up her handbag, Mildred left the library, but instead of turning toward the kitchen, she marched straight for the front door, closing it calmly behind her." (52)

Mildred works as a waitress

5

In desperation, Mildred turned to work at a restaurant. After a girl is caught stealing tips, a spot is opened for her to move into. This job was nightmarish for Mildred. She grew hatred for a higher-up named Ida, who would constantly berate her with snide comments, and grew a casual friendship with a chef named Archie.
"The afternoon dragged on. Mildred felt stupid, heavy, slow, and clumsy. Try as she would to 'pick up something,' dirty dishes piled on her tables," (58)

Mildred begins seeing Wally

7

After several weeks of not seeing him, Mildred and Wally begin seeing each other. Mildred brings him in after Ray and Veda are in bed, seemingly scared of her kids seeing her move on.
"Thereater he dropped by rather often, arriving usually around nine, for she didn't want the children to know quite how much she was seeing him." (63)

Bert returns

8

After ages of being away, Bert returns to the dismay of Mildred. After playing with the children, and acting as though he is on good terms with the woman he left, he leaves. Mildred then acquires the car keys and takes ownership of the vehicle. "But when the bell rang she was a little surprised, for it was only a few minutes after seven. She went to the door, and instead of Wally standing there, it was Bert"

Mildred begins to succeed

9

After weeks of suffrage at the restaurant, Mildred becomes the best waitress around. Bringing in the most tips and getting a master's in balancing several plates on each arm. "Within a few days, Mildred's financial troubles had eased a little, for she quickly became the best waitress in the lace, not only at giving service, but at bagging tips." (74)

Mildred hits Veda

10

After forcing Letty to wear the waitress gown, Veda began berating her mother. This pushed Mildred to strike her daughter. Veda laughed this off, calling her stupid as she was repeatedly hit until Mildred put Veda on one knee and spanked her until she screamed. "Mildred caught her by both arms, threw her over one knee, whipped the kimono up with one motion, the pants down with another, and brought her bare hand down on Veda's bottom with all the force her fury could give her." (85)

Mildred Divorces Bert

11

In order to open her restaurant, Mildred needs to separate from Bert. So, she invites him over and prompts her feelings. He later accepts, and the divorce is finalized in court. "She worked furiously at the dough, tried to keep it quiet, then wheeled on him. 'Bert. I want a divorce.'" (97)

Mildred meets Montgomery Beragon

12

On one of her last shifts at the restaurant, she meets an interesting-looking man. They begin talking, and she is convinced to come with him to Arrowhead. "A wild, excited feeling swept over her. It suddenly occurred to her that for the moment she was free as a bird." (105)

Ray dies

13

While in Arrowhead, Mildred gets a call telling her that Ray is in the hospital with flu. She races back, and is told they removed a pimple from her lip. This pimple became infected and the infection led into her brain. After a short suffering, Ray passed away. "She lifted the mask of the oxygen apparatus, bent down, kissed Ray on the mouth, and pulled the sheet over her face." (121)

Mildred opens her restaurant

14

After weeks of construction, hiring, and setting up the entire restaurant, Mildred finally opens MILDRED PIERCE CHICKEN WAFFLES PIES. After a full day of waiting, a car of 4 customers finally shows up. Bert and Veda then arrived for a meal, and Bert of course saw it just to give her advice on the restaurant. "She kept touching the waffle irons, to see if they were hot. Outside a car door slammed. She looked up. A car was there, and four people were entering the restaurant." (141)

Mildred begins seeing Monty

15

Monty, her arrowhead stallion, has grown very fond to her. She has made their trips a part of her weekly life and the sexual experiences she has had in her past do not compare to the passion of Monty. During this, her restaurant continued to flourish and prosper. "This hot, wanton excitement that Monty aroused in her seemed somehow shameful; also, she was afraid it might really take possession of her, and interfere with her work, which was becoming her life." (151)

Veda starts taking lessons with Mr. Hannen

16

Veda, talented at playing the harp, needed a better teacher. Monty recommended Charlie Hannen, a passionate but strict teacher whose methods are cruelty and negative reinforcement. This was scarring for Veda and showed Mildred a much more vulnerable side of Veda. "So Veda bawled, and she was still bawling when they got in the car and started home." (160)

Monty revealed

17

Monty revealed that the farming business he works for had to sell their main place of business. This led Mildred to begin slipping money into his pockets. He is hyperfocused on the potential of Veda's piano career and seems to be only staying with Mildred because of Veda's talent. "All right, I work. It's not all elegant work, but it's the only work I can do. I cook food and sell it. But one thing you'd better get through your head sooner or later: You'll have to go to work-" (171)