The stranger by Albert Camus

A character solely through reference, Maman's death begins the story and indicts Meursault in the end. She had lived with Meursault until he could no longer afford to care for her and they had nothing left to say to each other. At the home, she becomes intimate with Pérez and Meursault understands this action at the end as he realizes she was living it all again. In the face of society, Meursault is condemned for his lack of sadness at her funeral and we learn at the trial that she did harbor resentment toward Meursault for placing her in the home. Meursault references her anecdotes and stories while in jail.