Beartown

Beartown

by

Fredrik Backman

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Beartown makes teaching easy.

Mrs. Erdahl/Kevin’s mom Character Analysis

Mrs. Erdahl is Kevin’s quiet, reserved mother. She runs a large company, where she’s seen as approachable and sympathetic, but she struggles to talk to her son, even as she longs for a closer relationship with him. Mrs. Erdahl begins to suspect her son after he is accused of rape, and when she confirms the truth, she makes an emotional apology to Maya.
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Mrs. Erdahl/Kevin’s mom Character Timeline in Beartown

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. Erdahl/Kevin’s mom appears in Beartown. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6
Culture, Character, and Entitlement Theme Icon
Parents and Children Theme Icon
...goes to Kevin’s house. Nobody remembers how they became best friends, but they’re inseparable. When Kevin’s mom answers the door, both she and Mr. Erdahl are talking on their phones. Benji thinks... (full context)
Culture, Character, and Entitlement Theme Icon
Parents and Children Theme Icon
...a couple of photos on the walls and the fringe on the rug. Behind him, Mrs. Erdahl automatically puts everything back the way it was. Outside, Benji sits down by Kevin’s garden... (full context)
Chapter 15
Culture, Character, and Entitlement Theme Icon
Parents and Children Theme Icon
Kevin is practicing in his garden rink at home. Mrs. Erdahl says it’s time to drop him off at the rink. Kevin can see that she’s... (full context)
Parents and Children Theme Icon
Loyalty and Belonging Theme Icon
...basement is stacked with notebooks full of statistics from all the games Kevin has played. Kevin’s mom can’t help looking back at him as they drive away. They’ve always tried to teach... (full context)
Chapter 24
Parents and Children Theme Icon
Inside, Kevin’s mom wishes she could talk to him. She was puzzled to find sheets and a bloodstained... (full context)
Chapter 36
Community Breakdown and Inequality Theme Icon
Culture, Character, and Entitlement Theme Icon
Loyalty and Belonging Theme Icon
...smartly dressed lawyers, members of the hockey club hierarchy, and most of the junior team. Kevin's mom wraps a blanket around him as he gets into the car, and men pat his... (full context)
Chapter 37
Parents and Children Theme Icon
Kevin’s mom is shaking. She wonders who you save in a sinking ship scenario, and decides you... (full context)
Chapter 39
Culture, Character, and Entitlement Theme Icon
Parents and Children Theme Icon
Loyalty and Belonging Theme Icon
...being the customary gesture of hospitality in Beartown. But no one does. Meanwhile, across town, Mrs. Erdahl takes out the trash. One neighbor’s door, then another and another, opens as people invite... (full context)
Chapter 44
Parents and Children Theme Icon
Loyalty and Belonging Theme Icon
...mom, and his sisters are getting ready to eat dinner together, the doorbell rings, It’s Kevin’s mom , asking to have a word with Benji. As they sit outside, Mrs. Erdahl recalls... (full context)
Culture, Character, and Entitlement Theme Icon
Parents and Children Theme Icon
...to remain intact “because this family does not lose. Not even when they do.” Soon Mrs. Erdahl gets home and wordlessly sweeps up some glass from a family photo Mr. Erdahl has... (full context)
Parents and Children Theme Icon
...silly card game together, when the doorbell rings. When they answer, they’re shocked to see Mrs. Erdahl . Mrs. Erdahl has been told that there’s no reliable evidence to use against Kevin.... (full context)