Eleanor Oliphant's mother died in a fire that she herself deliberately set, a tragic event that profoundly shaped Eleanor's life and her perception of the past.
The Truth Behind the Fire
Throughout much of her life, Eleanor Oliphant lives with the deep emotional scars of a childhood fire, the full truth of which is gradually revealed. It is eventually learned that her mother was responsible for deliberately setting the fire. This revelation adds a profound and disturbing layer to Eleanor's traumatic past, explaining much of her detachment and unusual social interactions.
Eleanor's Journey of Discovery and Acceptance
Eleanor's path to understanding her mother's fate and coming to terms with her past is a significant part of her emotional development in the story.
Counselling and Seeking Closure
As Eleanor begins to process her past traumas, she engages in counselling. This therapeutic process helps her confront her memories and the impact of her mother's actions. After extensive self-reflection and guidance, Eleanor makes the courageous decision to formally say goodbye to her mother and end all contact with her. This decision is a crucial step in her journey towards healing and independence, symbolizing her attempt to break free from the past's hold.
Uncovering the Final Fate
Later, while researching past events related to her childhood with her friend Raymond, Eleanor uncovers a critical piece of information. Through their investigation, they discover a newspaper article that reveals the ultimate truth: her mother had, in fact, died in the fire she had set. This discovery recontextualizes Eleanor's previous decision to end contact, as it means her mother was already deceased. The revelation provides a definitive answer to her mother's fate and helps Eleanor piece together the full, tragic narrative of her early life.
This complex series of revelations—from her mother's culpability in starting the fire to the ultimate discovery of her death in it—is central to Eleanor Oliphant's character arc, driving her transformation and eventual ability to connect with the world around her.
