Relationships in The Woman Who Walked Into Doors Essay Example

Oftentimes a toxic relationship can lead to the loss of individuality and personality for the sufferer, particularly in controlling relationships. The relationship between Paula and Charlo in the book The Woman Who Walked Into Doors by Roddy Doyle is a more intense version of this as Charlo’s physical and mental abuse lead to Paula becoming a shell of the former girl she had been. By the end of the story we see various examples of the progress which Paula has made in her pursuit of being a better woman. The cause for a few of these changes were because of her daughter Nichola, and is who I believe will cause Paula to become not only a better mother but an individual. This would happen due to the qualities which Nichola processes and strengthens within her mother, such as responsibility, ambition, and strength.

One of the most prominent qualities which Nichola possesses throughout the book is responsibility. This is easily seen as Nichola often acts as a second mother to her siblings such as when she takes them to important events and also has a job. When Charlo left, a large portion of Paula’s ability to cope and manage was due to Nichola’s help. Despite being out of school and having the ability to leave Nichola chooses to stay and help in the responsibilities of her family. This is highly important as it gives Paula a responsible female figure, as the other male figures in her life, Charlo and John Paul, left. The continuation of Nichola staying and helping her mother reinforces the ideals of responsibility and steadiness which a woman can have, displacing her previous male patronizing. Even when Paula puts Jack to bed to drink, Nichola looks at her in disappointment. This causes Paula to feel shame and dishonor as a mother, due to the moral figure which Nichola represents to her. To further elaborate on this Nichola represents all of the qualities that a stable mother has, she works, makes time for the kids, and does so without obtaining any abnormally toxic traits. This is what also causes Paula to begin to desire to change her alcohol addiction. The placement of Nichola in Paula’s life inspires her to take responsibility and make better choices in her children’s lives, leading to her being a healthier mother.

The second trait which Nichola has that inspires Paula to better herself is ambition. Nichola doesn’t offer the typical ambition, such as career wise, that Leanne offers, but rather one for a healthier lifestyle and mindset. Nichola displays this for her through her healthy relationship and steady job. This is great for Paula as the rest of the relationships, romantic wise, that she has witnessed have been abusive and toxic, such as her mother and father’s and her own relationship. The promotion of a healthy relationship will begin to set up the qualities and personality that any prospective relationship Paula goes into will result with a better partner. Despite Nichola having a similar upbringing to Paula she is able to achieve both independence and a relationship, which shows Paula that she can and should achieve both. Nichola  even inspires her to become a better mother and be healthier, as she is the reason that Paula begins to desire and build ambition to stop drinking.This will build not only Paula’s ability to become a better mother, but to better herself and her quality of life.

The third, and most important, quality which Nichola possesses and inspires within her mother is her strength. This quality is also discussed often within the book as Nichola is described as having the ability to withstand the harsher aspects of her life such as her father and bad news. Whenever a person, specifically men, tries to bring her down she is able to withstand it. This begins to affect Paula more as she is finally able to stand up to Charlo after seeing him look like he was about to hurt her. Paula is able to keep him after these events because of the strong figure which Nichola represents to her. It is also very important that this quality come from Nichola and not her other children as she is a functioning adult, and more specifically a woman. This quality within her is something that Paula desires for which will lead to her eventually working towards and obtaining this goal. The quality will cause Paula to be able to fight past the previous ‘chains’ of the men in her life to become a strong, independent woman. 

While Paula's other children do provide certain qualities which are desirable, Nichola’s best encapsulates what Paula needs to not only become a better mother, but a healthier person and woman. This is essentially crucial to Paula’s growth as it will help her step out of the previous trauma she has endured. The continuation of Nichola’s qualities affecting Paula would lead to Paula growing into these qualities as well as becoming her own woman, not dependent on others.