Florence Character Analysis in Mexican Gothic

Florence is Howard’s niece, and Francis’s mother. She is the only female villain in the novel—the only woman without a redeeming moment. When Noemí arrives at High Place, Florence strictly enforces the conventions of the home: no smoking, silence during dinner, etc. But she has not always been the cruel arbiter of domestic power. When she was young, Florence was as much a victim as any of the women in High Place; Howard raped her in order to conceive a child. His attempt at conception failed, so he sent Florence away to find a husband. She met Richard, and she dreamed that he would change her or rescue her from her family. But Richard started to slowly lose his mind when he became infected with the fungus, and Florence became convinced that it’s impossible to deny one’s nature. Though she’s oppressed in High Place, Florence decides it’s easier to live under a sexist system than to fight it. The only space she’s allowed authority is in the domestic realm, and she often sternly employs that authority as a way to assert herself in a system that has eroded her autonomy.

Florence Quotes in Mexican Gothic

The Mexican Gothic quotes below are all either spoken by Florence or refer to Florence. 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:

Sexism, Female Independence, and Power Theme Icon

The Doyles’ silver collection was quite staggering, each shelf lined with salvers, tea sets, bowls, and candlesticks that sat dusty and dull behind glass. A lone person could not hope to tackle this whole task alone, but Noemí was determined to prove herself in front of this woman.

Related Characters: Noemí Taboada (speaker), Florence

Page Number and Citation: 113

Explanation and Analysis:

“When I was younger, I thought the world outside held such promise and wonders. I even went away for a bit and met a dashing young man. I thought he’d take me away, that he would change everything, change me,” Florence said, her face softened for the briefest moment. “But there’s no denying our natures. I was meant to live and die in High Place. Let Francis be. He’s accepted his lot in this life. It’s easier this way.”

Related Characters: Florence (speaker), Francis

Page Number and Citation: 115

Explanation and Analysis:

Florence Character Timeline in Mexican Gothic

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

With her back to Noemí, the woman introduces herself as Florence, Howard Doyle’s niece and Francis’s mother. She explains that she runs High Place—if Noemí needs... (full context)

...on the walls. The faces of long dead Doyles stare at Noemí from across time. Florence stops in front of a door with a crystal knob and tells Noemí that this... (full context)

Francis sets Noemí’s suitcases down while Florence opens a chest. She pulls out a few candles and an ugly candelabra. Florence explains... (full context)

Noemí insists on seeing Catalina. Florence initially refuses, but Francis interjects, reminding his mother that Noemí has traveled a great distance... (full context)

...her to be ravaged by disease, but she doesn’t look sick at all. Before leaving, Florence tells Noemí that she can have only five minutes with her cousin, after which Florence... (full context)

...that it is impossible for her to leave the house. Before Noemí can react, however, Florence walks in. (full context)

Noemí walks back to her bedroom. Florence told her that she would fetch her for dinner at seven, so Noemí decides to... (full context)

Florence guides Noemí from her bedroom to the dining room downstairs. The walls are lined with... (full context)

Virgil and Howard walk into the dining room, and Howard tells Florence that tonight they can make some conversation for the sake of their guest. Howard looks... (full context)

Francis and Noemí return to the house and have lunch with Florence. The meal ends quickly—Virgil and Howard do not join them. That night while lying in... (full context)

...me. They tell me secrets. Don’t listen to them.” Catalina abruptly stops speaking, just before Florence enters the room. Florence announces that Dr. Cummins has arrived—Noemí can wait downstairs for him... (full context)

...Marta Duval. She figures her best bet of finding her is by asking Francis, since Florence won’t listen, and Virgil is irritated with her. It bothers Noemí to be thought of... (full context)

...her uncle. She shot Howard, but he survived. And she might have shot Virgil, but Florence had hidden him away in a closet during the attack. When she was done shooting,... (full context)

...the story after taking another cigarette from Noemí. One day not long after the murders, Florence finally left El Triunfo, even though she’d never done so before. When she returned a... (full context)

...Doyles. Howard, however, is not present. When Noemí breaks the rule of silence during dinner, Florence chastises her. Is Noemí keen on breaking every rule in the house? Florence told her... (full context)

Noemí feels ambushed, like Virgil and Florence planned to scold her together. Poor Catalina. Noemí is strong and resilient, so she can... (full context)

...appears to be over, and she apologizes. Sometimes she says things that she doesn’t understand. Florence walks in with a teapot, eyeing Dr. Camarillo. In response, he collects his things and... (full context)

...types, calling her filth. Noemí stomps her cigarette and declares that she doesn’t care what Florence thinks. She calls Francis a bore and tells him she’s heading back alone. (full context)

Usually the maid, Mary, or Florence comes to deliver Noemí’s breakfast, but this morning Francis knocks on her door, tray in... (full context)

The door to the library swings open and Florence walks in. Francis quickly stands up straight and shoves his hands in his pockets. Florence... (full context)

Florence pauses to admire all of the gleaming silver. She asks Noemí if she has any... (full context)

Florence rants on. She accuses Noemí of thinking that she has power because Howard thinks she... (full context)

Florence dismisses Noemí, so she heads back to her bedroom. She thinks about the fairy tales... (full context)

...and then meets Francis. Rather than go back to High Place and face Virgil and Florence’s questions, Francis napped in the car while he waited for Noemí. Francis doesn’t look very... (full context)

Francis continues. He tells Noemí that his mother, Florence, tried to leave High Place, but she came back. There’s no escaping it, and Ruth... (full context)

...deck of cards, but she seems hesitant to play. Noemí guesses that she’s afraid of Florence, and teases Catalina about it. She then gives her Marta’s remedy, and Catalina’s eyes light... (full context)

Noemí runs into the hallway and screams again for help. Finally Francis and Florence appear, and she tells them that Catalina is having a seizure. They all run back... (full context)

It’s a long time before Francis comes back, and when he does, he brings Florence and Dr. Cummins with him. Noemí asks about Catalina. Dr. Cummins tells her that she’s... (full context)

Florence again asks where Noemí got the tincture. Catalina had told her not to tell anyone,... (full context)

While still clutching Noemí’s wrist, Virgil tells her that Florence was right: she deserves to be slapped. Noemí retorts that if anyone is going to... (full context)

...about the Azande people. She’s tried to speak to Catalina twice already, but both times Florence has refused her. She feels ashamed, and her book is hardly able to distract her.... (full context)

Noemí sees Francis avoid her and wonders if Florence scolded him for driving her to town. She seeks out Florence and finds her in... (full context)

Noemí visits Catalina, but Florence no longer allows them to be alone together. Mary, the maid, chaperones the visit. Catalina... (full context)

...couldn’t finish him off. Uncle Howard is a monster, Francis says, don’t trust him, or Florence, or Virgil. He rushes Noemí from the room, telling her that Florence must be on... (full context)

Noemí wakes up to Florence entering her room. Florence tells her that it’s lunchtime and places a tray at her... (full context)

A loud knock makes Noemí jump. Florence enters before Noemí can reply. She demands to know why Noemí is smoking. Noemí scoffs... (full context)

Florence tells Virgil that Noemí has been breaking the rules again, as usual. Noemí asks Virgil... (full context)

...Noemí finds it difficult to talk with anyone besides Francis. Virgil is a bully, and Florence is not much better. After the meal, Virgil announces that they’ll be heading upstairs to... (full context)

...with so that she can go to bed. The group proceeds to Howard’s room, and Florence begins to peel back the curtains of Howard’s bed. Noemí is shocked to see Howard... (full context)

...himself. It was then difficult, in recent generations, for the family to have children. When Florence came of age, Howard tried to impregnate her, but he was too old. Noemí nearly... (full context)

The idea was that Richard and Florence would have more children—more girls. But the gloom affected him. He wanted to leave but... (full context)

...of breakfast, but she fears that it may be poisoned, so she hardly touches it. Florence comes to her room and tells Noemí that Virgil wishes to see her. She follows... (full context)

...asks Virgil if he’s satisfied. Virgil tells him that there’s still much for Noemí to do—Florence is trying to find Ruth’s old wedding dress. The ceremony will be soon. Noemí asks... (full context)

...girl. Perhaps two. It reminds her of a dead snake’s skin and of an ouroboros. Florence forces her to put on the dress so that alterations can be made before the... (full context)

Noemí tries on the shoes and veil, too, but they don’t suit her well. Florence tells her so. Noemí mocks her: if Noemí looks displeasing, perhaps they should call off... (full context)

Florence leaves and Noemí changes back into her clothes. Francis comes by a while later with... (full context)

...people that they may be bountiful.” Francis is led away by Virgil, and Noemí follows Florence back to her bedroom. Florence tells Noemí that the Doyle brides are proper girls, chaste... (full context)

Florence yells for the three of them to stop. She’s pointing a rifle at Noemí. Her... (full context)

Francis walks meekly towards the doctor. Noemí tries to grab him, but Florence points the rifle at her and tells her to sit. Things could have been so... (full context)

...stabs Howard in the eye, then again and again in the face. Howard yells. Francis, Florence, and Dr. Cummins all fall to the floor. Noemí jumps to her feet and begins... (full context)

...gun discharges, and for a moment Noemí doesn’t know who was shot. Then Francis rolls Florence away and stands up. His eyes are bright with tears and he’s shivering. He stumbles... (full context)

Florence Character Analysis

Florence Quotes in Mexican Gothic

Chapter 10 Quotes

Florence Character Timeline in Mexican Gothic