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Beggar Man
Miss Helen is Rick’s mother. She is known for speaking her mind, arguably too much. Rick often worries about her, and it is strongly implied that she is often drunk or otherwise impaired. Though she is not as wealthy as the Mother, she used to be popular when she was younger and had many men who were interested in her. One of her former lovers was Vance, who ended up in an influential position at one of the only colleges in the world that will consider accepting Rick. Despite her and Rick’s attempts to charm Vance, Vance can’t let go of the past and wants to humiliate Miss Helen for revenge. Miss Helen provides a contrast to the Mother (who provides more traditional stability for Josie than Miss Helen does for Rick), showing how the lives of children are affected by their parents.
Miss Helen Quotes in Klara and the Sun
The Klara and the Sun quotes below are all either spoken by Miss Helen or refer to Miss Helen. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part Three
Quotes
“What I really wished to ask you, Klara. The real request, the deeper one. Would you ask Josie to try and persuade Rick? She’s the one person who might change his stance. He’s very stubborn, you see, and also—I suspect this—rather afraid. And who can blame him? He knows the world out there won’t be easy. But Josie’s the one capable of getting him to see this differently. Will you speak to her?”
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Part Four
Quotes
“Now Rick. You said just now you’re not seeking favoritism. Then let me ask you this. If that is really the case, then why am I sitting in front of you now?”
Part Five
Quotes
“And there was more. On this question of being lifted. She wants you to know she wouldn’t wish it any other way. If she had the power to do it again, and this time it was up to her, she says she’d do exactly what you did and you’ll always be the best mother she could have.”
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Miss Helen Quotes in Klara and the Sun
The Klara and the Sun quotes below are all either spoken by Miss Helen or refer to Miss Helen. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part Three
Quotes
“What I really wished to ask you, Klara. The real request, the deeper one. Would you ask Josie to try and persuade Rick? She’s the one person who might change his stance. He’s very stubborn, you see, and also—I suspect this—rather afraid. And who can blame him? He knows the world out there won’t be easy. But Josie’s the one capable of getting him to see this differently. Will you speak to her?”
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Part Four
Quotes
“Now Rick. You said just now you’re not seeking favoritism. Then let me ask you this. If that is really the case, then why am I sitting in front of you now?”
Part Five
Quotes
“And there was more. On this question of being lifted. She wants you to know she wouldn’t wish it any other way. If she had the power to do it again, and this time it was up to her, she says she’d do exactly what you did and you’ll always be the best mother she could have.”
