Ingrid

Ingrid is Gil’s wife and Nan and Flora’s mother. Ingrid marries Gil before completing university when she becomes pregnant with his child. She is nearly twenty years younger than her husband. Ingrid dreamed of travelling the world and living an unattached life. She feels oppressed by motherhood and reiterates her failings as a mother throughout the text. Gil’s inability to save money forces Ingrid to budget their small income. Though Gil repeatedly cheats on her, Ingrid stays with him. She often discusses her desire to leave Gil with his best friend, Jonathan. But ultimately, Ingrid lacks the courage to sacrifice what little comfort and financial security Gil offers. Though Ingrid writes most of Gil’s most famous novel, A Man of Pleasure, she allows him to take all credit. Ingrid’s passivity causes resentment to fester inside of her until she releases it in the...