Madaline Character Analysis in And the Mountains Echoed

The arrogant, narcissistic mother of Thalia, Madaline figures in Chapter Eight of And the Mountains Echoed. While she’s lifelong friends with Odelia, Odelia begins to resent her constant talk about husbands and boyfriends. Eventually Madaline abandons Thalia, leaving her behind to live with Odelia and Markos. Madaline spends the rest of her life as a successful theater producer.

Madaline Character Timeline in And the Mountains Echoed

The timeline below shows where the character Madaline appears in And the Mountains Echoed. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...They met in 1967, when he was only 12 years old. Thalia and her mother, Madaline, traveled to his home in Tinos, Greece to visit Markos, his mother, Odelia. Odelia had... (full context)

When Madaline and Thalia arrived in Markos’s home, Madaline introduced the two children. Markos noticed that Thalia... (full context)

As a child, Markos was fascinated and horrified by Thalia’s appearance. Madaline and Thalia would visit Tinos often, and though Thalia was usually careful not to lift... (full context)

...Thalia lie to her mother, he became conscious of his own mother’s bad relationship with Madaline. Although Odelia was outwardly friendly to Madaline, she seemed to be getting tired of Madaline’s... (full context)

Time, Memory, Forgetting, and Art Theme Icon

...Markos spent more time together, but only because Markos didn’t enjoy being around Odelia and Madaline together—as he could sense Odelia’s discomfort. One day, as they’re walking by a shop, Markos... (full context)

...pinhole camera, using cardboard, a flashlight, cellophane, and simple chemicals. Thalia whispers to him that Madaline is upset: she’s had a big fight with her current husband, Andreas. (full context)

The next day, Markos assembles Odelia, Thalia, and Madaline on the beach near his house. He directs them to stand still and look at... (full context)

...the narrative cuts ahead to a scene from his early twenties, when he’s in college. Madaline has died, leaving her money (a large amount, given her first marriage to a powerful... (full context)

The narrative returns to Markos’s childhood, when Madaline and Thalia were visiting Tinos. Madaline announces that she’s leaving Tinos, leaving Thalia to live... (full context)

Madaline leaves Thalia in Tinos with Markos and Odelia. Thalia doesn’t seem very sad to see... (full context)

Madaline sends word to Odelia that her film’s shoot is delayed—Thalia will have to stay in... (full context)

...cuts ahead to 2002, more than thirty years after Thalia’s letter arrives. Markos discovers that Madaline has died. He learns that she was a successful actress and theater manager, and her... (full context)