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Summary
Chapter Five
When Andrew arrives home, he and Nina are extremely affectionate with each other. But when Andrew compliments the dinner Millie makes and teases Nina for her terrible cooking, Nina once again shows signs of jealousy. Andrew invites Millie to eat with them, but Millie can tell Nina doesn’t want her there, so she declines.
Chapter Six
Millie falls asleep in her room, elated to be sleeping in a real bed. In the middle of the night, she gets up to go to the bathroom and discovers the door is locked. Panicked, she wonders whether the Winchesters hired her as an elaborate plot to trap her in the attic, and remembers that she promised herself she would never be trapped again after being in prison for ten years. She tries to call 911 but there’s no signal. She tries the door again and it opens, but she can’t shake the feeling that she’s in danger.
Chapter Seven
The next morning, Millie finds Nina turning the kitchen upside down, breaking plates and throwing food on the floor. Nina accuses Millie of throwing away her PTA notes, and Millie briefly defends herself before apologizing. Andrew comforts Nina, who is in tears, but privately tells Millie that his wife is high-strung and offers to help her clean the mess in the kitchen. Millie looks at an old picture of Nina and Andrew from before they had Cecelia, when Nina was prettier and thinner. She suspects that Nina isn’t the person she used to be.
Chapter Eight
Millie goes grocery shopping and revels in buying the most expensive food and cuts of meat, a stark contrast to the cheap, overcooked food she ate in prison. She remembers that she fantasized about what she would eat when she got out of prison, but due to her poverty, her choices were still extremely limited, especially when she was living out of her car.
When Millie gets home from grocery shopping, Enzo sees her struggling and helps her carry the bags inside. She once again notices his handsomeness and his tattoos, including one with a heart and the name “Antonia.” She tries to speak with him, but he runs out when he hears Nina coming downstairs. Nina scolds her that she isn’t allowed to have guests unless she gives two days’ notice. When Millie explains that Enzo was helping her with the groceries, Nina chastises her that Enzo shouldn’t be in the house because he’s “filthy,” although Millie reflects that Nina is the one who destroyed the kitchen. Nina also confronts Millie about her glasses, and Millie is forced to admit that she lied. Nina warns Millie never to lie to her again.
Chapter Nine
While Nina is at her PTA meeting, Millie serves Andrew and Cecelia dinner, relieved at Nina’s absence. Cecelia is rude to Millie, refusing to eat the steak Millie made, and Andrew good-naturedly agrees to make her chicken nuggets. He gives Millie a tutorial on cooking chicken nuggets to Cecelia’s exact specifications and invites her to eat with them. Millie declines, speculating that Nina wouldn’t like to see them eating together, and Andrew admits that she’s right. Millie admires Andrew’s attractiveness, reflecting that she hasn’t had sex since before her incarceration at seventeen, and that Andrew is the type of man she would want to date. She also fantasizes about a one-night stand with Enzo.
Analysis: Chapters Five-Nine
Millie’s fear of being locked in her room reemerges in Chapter Six, highlighting the psychological impact of her imprisonment. The door's sudden locking and unlocking acts as a reminder of her past incarceration and her vow to never be trapped again. The physical space of the attic room becomes a symbol of Millie's precarious position; while it provides her with shelter, it also serves as a place of potential entrapment. This ambiguity heightens the sense of danger and unease, suggesting that Millie's freedom is illusory. The fear that she has been lured into a trap resonates with her prior experience of imprisonment, indicating that her current situation may be a different kind of captivity, one that is psychological rather than physical.
Read about the novel’s motif of Locks and Keys.
Nina’s erratic behavior in Chapter Seven, where she destroys the kitchen in a fit of rage, hints at a deeper instability. Her accusation against Millie and the subsequent breakdown reinforces the idea that Nina might be grappling with her own psychological issues, which complicates the power dynamic in the household. Millie’s observation of an older photograph of Nina suggests a transformation that has taken place over time, indicating that the Nina of the present may be a product of her circumstances.
Read an explanation of a key quote (#2) from Chapter Seven.
Millie's trip to the grocery store reinforces the connection between money and freedom. Her ability to buy expensive food contrasts starkly with the limited choices she had in prison and during her subsequent poverty. This momentary indulgence represents a fleeting sense of control and normalcy in her life, a temporary escape from her history and the ongoing power struggles in the Winchester household. However, her return home and subsequent encounter with Enzo and Nina quickly remind her of the limitations on her autonomy. Nina's scolding about Enzo’s presence not only reinforces the class divide but also asserts Nina's control over every aspect of Millie's life, including her social interactions. The description of Enzo as “filthy” by Nina serves to further emphasize the hierarchical structure within the house, where people are judged and categorized based on arbitrary standards set by those in power.
Read about the motif of Surveillance in The Housemaid.
A recurring theme in these chapters is the tension between outward appearances and inner realities. Enzo, with his tattoos and physical strength, initially appears to be the most stereotypically threatening figure in the narrative. Millie reflects on how easily he could kill her if he wanted to, yet she doesn’t feel he poses a threat to her. Instead, she sees Enzo as an outsider, someone who, like her, exists on the margins of the Winchester's world of privilege. This connection allows her to feel a sense of camaraderie rather than fear. The novel thus subverts expectations; the most significant threat comes not from physical brute strength, but the power dynamics that are wielded as a force of psychological control.
The power dynamics between Millie and Nina are a particularly stark illustration of how privilege can create an imbalanced and oppressive relationship. Nina's ability to accuse Millie of things like throwing away the PTA notes puts Millie in a position where she cannot defend herself. Even if innocent, Millie finds it easier to take the blame and apologize rather than risk losing her job. This power imbalance means that Nina can say whatever she wants, and Millie has no choice but to comply or stay silent. The incident demonstrates Nina's dominance in the relationship; her word is final, and Millie must tread carefully to maintain her place in the household. This dynamic is also evident when Nina calls Millie out on having lied about wearing glasses. Though Millie had worn them to appear less threatening during her interview, Nina turns the situation against her, forcing Millie to confess to the deception in order to assert her own authority once again. This ongoing manipulation reinforces the idea that the real threats in the novel stem not from physical violence but from the manipulation and exploitation inherent in class-based power structures.
Chapter Nine explores Millie’s complicated feelings toward Andrew. Her admiration of Andrew’s attractiveness and her longing for a normal romantic relationship reveal her vulnerability and desire for connection after years of isolation. This longing is contrasted with her wariness, as she recognizes that any overt display of interest would threaten her precarious position. The tension between desire and caution showcases the delicate balance Millie must maintain in navigating the household's dynamics.
