An Elderly Lady is up to No Good

The collection’s stories demonstrate that stereotyping the elderly—as out of touch, emotionally fragile, and intellectually and physically diminished—is an error that can be both foolish and dangerous. Maud’s character is the main vehicle for this message, but Richard’s character, too, demonstrates the perils of underestimating older people. When most characters look at Maud, they see her age and little else. She gets away with theft, assault, and even brutal murders because people find it ridiculous to believe that a woman in her late eighties might be capable of committing such crimes.

Maud is well aware of stereotypes about the elderly—and she exploits them ruthlessly. After killing Frazzén, she orders hearing aids she does not need so that eventually, when the police come to question her, she can appear to be losing her hearing—creating an aura of vulnerability that gains her sympathy instead of suspicion. She steals a cane and a walker and uses them as props that confirm others’ beliefs about her physical weakness. She stoops, shuffles, and takes care not to be seen lifting heavy objects or moving quickly. When necessary, she affects quavering hands and voice, as if she has little remaining control of her own body.