In The Boarding House, we are introduced to a harsh woman right from the beginning. Mrs Mooney is a "butcher's daughter" and her abilities with a meat cleaver should not be challenged especially as her own husband chased her in just such a fashion! As far as Mrs Mooney is concerned, the cleaver is a figurative representation of her character. She knows that life is hard and in an unforgiving, judgmental and less-than-perfect environment for her daughter, she knows that it will be difficult for Polly to marry well and secure her future.