Lorraine Character Analysis in Erasure

Lorraine is the Ellison family’s longtime housekeeper—she’s worked for the family since before Monk was born. Although Monk knows he must move Mother into a care facility due to her worsening Alzheimer’s symptoms, he feels an obligation to look out for Lorraine and worries what will become of her once she no longer has a job working for the family. Monk convinces Lorraine to accompany him and Mother to the Ellison family beach house in Annapolis as a send-off for Mother. There, Lorraine reconnects with Maynard, a local man, and a romance develops between them. The couple, aware of their old age, decides to get married then and there, with Monk serving as Maynard’s best man and Mother serving as Lorraine’s matron of honor. However, Mother’s Alzheimer’s causes her to become confused and belligerent at the wedding, and she inadvertently says cruel things about Lorraine that make Lorraine cry. Ultimately, this incident is the tipping point for Monk, and he immediately makes arrangements to move Mother into the care facility.

Lorraine Character Timeline in Erasure

The timeline below shows where the character Lorraine appears in Erasure. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Familial Obligation vs. Personal Needs Theme Icon

...twice. Now, Lisa is the one paying the bills and taking care of everything else. Lorraine is still around, of course, “stealing little things here and there.” (full context)

Monk and Lisa drop by Mother’s house later that evening. Monk greets their servant Lorraine, who has worked for the Ellisons since before he was born. Over dinner, Lisa broaches... (full context)

...sells.” Monk hangs up the phone, only for it to ring almost immediately after. It’s Lorraine, telling him that Lisa is dead. Monk calls Bill, and they both make plans to... (full context)

...out with Mother’s care. Not long after Lisa’s funeral, Monk moves in with Mother and Lorraine. (full context)

...Mother’s mental deterioration becomes clear. He wants her to stay in her home and with Lorraine. He reasons that he’ll only have to stay for a year because by then, Mother... (full context)

Later, Monk encounters Lorraine in the kitchen. She praises him for moving home to help Mother. After a pause,... (full context)

...divorce. He suggests that Monk put Mother in a home, sell the house, and let Lorraine go. He also tells Monk he’s “taken a lover,” a phrase that irks Monk. Monk... (full context)

...catch a cab (three empty cars drive right past him) Monk returns home to find Lorraine sitting on the porch steps. Lorraine explains that Mother doesn’t recognize Lorraine and has locked... (full context)

Later, Monk works on a bedside stand while Lorraine puts Mother to bed. The legs of the stand wobble a bit, but Monk doesn’t... (full context)

The next day, Monk drives himself, Mother, and Lorraine to the beach house. When they arrive, the guard at the gate to the beach... (full context)

...will “eventually alienate her” and ruin everything. He looks out onto the water and sees Lorraine and Maynard drift by in a little skiff, laughing together. He wants to be happy... (full context)

Mother’s state of mind continues to deteriorate. Meanwhile, a romance buds between Maynard and Lorraine. Monk continues to see Marilyn. One day, he knocks on her door and a Black... (full context)

Later, Maynard stops by to see Lorraine, and they announce that they’re getting married. The wedding will be this Saturday—just two days... (full context)

Lorraine is spending the night at Maynard’s to prepare for the wedding, so Mother’s care falls... (full context)

...house is chaotic, full of clashing personalities and opinions. Maynard’s daughter, for one, can’t stand Lorraine. Monk chats with Maynard’s son-in-law, Leon, who treats Monk judgmentally when he learns that Lorraine... (full context)

Back in the present, Mother snaps in the middle of the wedding. She calls Lorraine a “golddigger” and calls the guests “thugs.” Lorraine is crying now. Monk apologizes to everyone,... (full context)

...take his eyes off Mother. When Mother wakes up the next morning, she asks where Lorraine is. Monk explains that Lorraine got married last night. After a pause, Monk tells Mother... (full context)