Miss Mary

Mary Mulligan arrives at the lavish Argentine estate outside Buenos Aires to serve as the family's governess. She becomes the primary caregiver for the three children, guiding their English education and shaping their early years. The household transitions into a defined social world as she integrates into their daily lives.

Mary becomes the main influence in the children's upbringing, balancing nurture with discipline. She oversees their childhood and adolescent development, guiding them through language learning and social manners. The family relies on her to mold their growing identities.

The aristocratic world around the family is described as fraying as Argentine politics shift, with conversations hinting at Juan Perón's rise. The adults worry that their lifestyle is ending as the political climate changes. The tension in the household foreshadows upheaval beyond their control.

Patriarch Alfredo becomes physically intimate with another woman, triggering a crisis at home. Mecha reacts with anger; she fires a pistol blindly into the parlor, though no one is hurt. The incident unsettles the children and marks a turning point in their family life.

Mecha deteriorates mentally and emotionally, growing emotionally detached from the family. Her withdrawal creates a chill in the home and heightens the sense of an impending rupture. The family watches her slide away while outward appearances remain intact.

A few years later, Teresa proudly reveals to her sister that she has lost her virginity. The moment underscores the shifting dynamics among the children as they navigate sexuality. This revelation adds strain to the already fragile family atmosphere.

Johnny, the elder brother, has a sexual encounter with a woman much older than him. Conflicted and unsettled, he rushes home to Mary. They share a long, ambiguous night that blends maternal and romantic undertones.

At dawn, Johnny's mother discovers him half-naked in the hallway, and the truth about Mary’s closeness with Johnny becomes clear. She informs her husband but ultimately dismisses Miss Mary from her duties. Mary begins packing, preparing to leave the family.

With the tension unresolved, Teresa prepares for her wedding, while Carolina openly plans to boycott the ceremony as a critique of their world. The sisters grapple with tradition, expectations, and their own moral stances. The oppressive social atmosphere continues to press in from outside.

Mary attends Teresa's wedding and discreetly slips Johnny a note as he walks down the aisle. She reveals nothing explicit but foreshadows her impending departure. The moment reinforces the blurred lines between caregiver and confidant that have defined her time with the family.

As World War II ends, Mary declares her intention to return to England. The impending departure signals a final severing of ties with the family she once cared for. Her sense of belonging has shifted, and the prospect of returning home closes a long chapter.

Mary boards a cruise liner and departs Argentina for England, leaving the family behind for good. The departure marks the conclusion of her complicated relationship with the household. Her exit underscores the broader historical shifts that frame the story.