Kendra Houlihan Character Analysis in The City We Became

Aislyn’s mother and Matthew’s wife, Kendra is a housewife in her 50s with pale skin, black hair, and “sad” eyes. As a young woman, she became pregnant by Matthew and, shortly after, received a scholarship to Julliard to study as a concert pianist. Knowing Matthew would not accept a working mother, Kendra aborted the pregnancy and told him it was a miscarriage. However, Matthew’s grief made Kendra feel so guilty that she gave up her dream of attending Julliard. For the most part, she now passively accepts her husband’s controlling, angry behavior and abuses alcohol on a weekly basis. Wanting better for Aislyn, Kendra secretly ordered pamphlets from colleges outside Staten Island when Aislyn was planning to apply. After Aislyn becomes Staten Island’s avatar, Kendra tells Aislyn about her dream of becoming a concert pianist and her abortion and urges Aislyn to leave Staten Island.

Kendra Houlihan Character Timeline in The City We Became

The timeline below shows where the character Kendra Houlihan appears in The City We Became. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Watching the city from her house’s roof at night, Aislyn is startled when her mother (Kendra Houlihan) joins her. Kendra sits—and asks Aislyn whether she reached the city the day before.... (full context)

Community, Diversity, and Prejudice Theme Icon

...she can admit that she wanted to visit the city, which her parents hate, when Kendra says she wishes Aislyn had gone. She tells Aislyn that as a young woman, she... (full context)

Aislyn has heard about Kendra’s miscarriage; Matthew believed the baby was a son and called him Conall. Aislyn asks why... (full context)

Kendra tells Aislyn that, given her own sacrifices, she wanted her daughter to leave Staten Island.... (full context)

...and claims she adores the nickname. Aislyn reflects that she hates it. Matthew yells for Kendra and orders her to ready a room for Conall, who will be staying with the... (full context)

Beliefs, Concepts, and Stereotypes Theme Icon

...Island, not the whole city, saved her that night, Aislyn decides to ignore her mother Kendra’s advice and Paolo’s entreaties and stay in her own borough. (full context)

...up, hearing yelling outside her house. She knows Matthew is working, Conall is gone, and Kendra has drunk herself nearly unconscious. In her yard Aislyn finds a “maybe Japanese” man holding... (full context)