The Silent Patient

Theo goes to see Lazarus and tells him about Alcestis, hoping for guidance as to the play’s meaning. Lazarus asks him: “How would you feel? The person you love most in the world has condemned you to die, through their own cowardice. That’s quite a betrayal” (178). Theo realizes that this would incite anger—both in the character of Alcestis and in Alicia. Alicia didn’t die physically by psychically, he realizes; something killed her spirit, her sense of being alive. Determined to encourage Alicia to communicate, Theo asks Lazarus if he can give her painting supplies. Lazarus says Theo will have to clear this with Alicia’s art therapist, Rowena Hart.

Theo approaches Rowena about providing Alicia with her own painting supplies, away from the traditional art therapy. He expects Rowena will be reluctant—Lazarus warned that she might be—but the woman readily agrees. Rowena is happy to unload Alicia, describing her as “the least responsive, most uncommunicative bitch I’ve ever worked with” (180). 

Theo reveals to Alicia that he went to see Jean-Felix at the gallery and also viewed some of her paintings—including Alcestis. He also shows her his copy of the play and draws a direct parallel between Alicia and Alcestis: “‘Why does she not speak?’ That’s what Admetus asks. And I’m asking you the same question, Alicia. What is it that you can’t say?” (183). He tells her that he has arranged for her to have her own private painting corner and asks if she would like that. She responds with a smile.

Theo runs into Christian in the canteen. Christian has already heard of Theo’s plan to get Alicia to paint and advises Theo to be careful. “Borderlines are seductive” (186), he tells Theo. He warns Theo that Alicia will turn on him. Theo disregards these warnings and calls Jean-Felix at the gallery to ask if he can pick up Alicia’s old painting supplies. 

Back home, Theo sees Kathy off as she heads to rehearsal. Afterwards, she plans to meet her friend Nicole. She told Theo about the meeting the previous week and Theo is convinced it’s a made-up excuse for her to meet her lover. He waits outside of the theater where Kathy rehearses and follows her from there. He’s convinced she’s about to rendezvous with her lover but instead Nicole shows up. Kathy wasn’t lying. Theo is surprised and, oddly, disappointed.  

Yuri and Theo introduce Alicia to her private painting space. She seems content and at ease, and starts painting immediately. Over the following days, her painting takes shape. It shows a redbrick building, The Grove, on fire, burning to the ground. Two figures are escaping the fire. One is Alicia. The other is Theo. He is carrying Alicia in his arms, holding her aloft. He notes, “I couldn’t tell if I were depicted in the act of rescuing Alicia—or about to throw her into the flames” (195). 

Barbie Hellmann, the woman who lived next door to Alicia and Gabriel at the time of the murder, shows up at The Grove to visit Alicia. She claims to be a good friend of Alicia’s. While she does visit regularly, it’s clear she does so only to talk about herself. Theo approaches Barbie, wanting to talk to her about Alicia. Barbie says, “Alicia confided in me all the time” (199). Theo agrees to meet her at her home that evening. 

Theo meets Barbie. Alicia revealed one important detail to her: She had a stalker in the weeks before Gabriel’s murder. She even took a photo of the man. Barbie has a copy but it just shows a blurry shape by a tree. Barbie encouraged Alicia to tell Gabriel and the police. Alicia later told Barbie that she’d talked it over with Gabriel and decided she was imagining it.

Theo arrives at The Grove to a scene of chaos. Alicia stabbed Elif in the eye with one of her paintbrushes. Seeing Alicia directly afterwards, standing totally still and calm, Theo says: “Her expression reminded me sharply of the painting—the Alcestis. Blank, expressionless. Empty. She stared straight at me. And, for the first time, I felt afraid” (207). 

Theo and Yuri sneak into Alicia’s painting studio to search for clues as to why she attacked Elif. They find that someone defaced Alicia’s painting with the word “SLUT” written across it in red paint (209). Theo goes to speak with Elif in the emergency ward. He asks what incited Alicia’s attack and Elif gleefully confesses that she told Alicia “the truth”—that Theo is in love with her. Elif concludes that Alicia is a “fucking nutter” and “a psycho” and Theo can’t help but wonder if she’s right (210). 

Lazarus hosts a meeting in his office with Theo, Stephanie, Indira, and Christian. Alicia is now in seclusion and her psychotherapy is to end. Theo tries to argue, but the decision is final. Lazarus has the final word: “Alicia isn’t a suitable candidate for psychotherapy. I should never have allowed it” (213).

Theo has a last meeting with Alicia. He apologizes for the fact that she is now in seclusion. He also tells her that he knows she’s afraid. Finally, he tells her he is angry: “I feel angry that our work is ending before we’ve even properly begun—and I feel angry that you didn’t try harder” (216). In response, Alicia hands him her diary, clearly intending for him to read it.