Wish You Were Here:
Chapter 4: Four
by Picoult, JodiThe chapter opens with Diana reflecting on her discomfort with solitude during her forced isolation on a remote island. Unlike those who might relish alone time, she struggles with the absence of companionship, relying on interactions with locals like Beatriz and Gabriel to break the monotony. Her attempts to contact Finn, her partner, are largely unsuccessful, leaving her feeling disconnected and adrift. The pandemic exacerbates her sense of displacement, making her future and career feel increasingly uncertain as time passes.
Diana’s postcard to Finn reveals her anxieties about her job at Sotheby’s, where she fears she may no longer have a position upon her return. She grapples with the irony of her situation—having always known her career path as an art specialist, she now faces the possibility of losing it. Yet, she finds solace in the natural beauty around her, recognizing art in unexpected places like the patterns of crabs and rays. Her longing for Finn is palpable, underscoring her emotional isolation.
The narrative shifts to Diana’s recollection of her first meeting with Kitomi Ito, a controversial figure linked to the breakup of the legendary band the Nightjars. Initially skeptical of Kitomi, Diana is surprised by her quiet presence and the unexpected opportunity to view a Toulouse-Lautrec painting. The encounter highlights Diana’s professional ambitions, as she aspires to emulate her boss, Eva, and make a name for herself in the art world. The painting’s vivid details transport her, showcasing her deep connection to art.
The chapter concludes with Diana’s fascination with Toulouse-Lautrec’s life and work, reflecting her passion for art history. She recounts the artist’s tumultuous personal life and his ties to Montmartre’s bohemian culture, drawing parallels between his world and her own professional journey. The chapter blends Diana’s personal struggles with her professional aspirations, painting a portrait of a woman navigating isolation, uncertainty, and the enduring power of art.
FAQs
1. How does Diana’s experience of solitude on the island contrast with common perceptions of solo vacations?
Answer:
While many people might view a solitary vacation as peaceful or rejuvenating, Diana finds it unsettling and lonely. The chapter reveals her discomfort with isolation—she avoids solo activities like movies or dining alone, and actively seeks human interaction through Beatriz, Abuela, and Gabriel. Her longing for connection is evident in her daily postcards to Finn and her attempts to reach him despite poor communication. This contrasts sharply with the “romantic cachet” often associated with desert island solitude, highlighting how the reality of isolation can be emotionally challenging rather than idyllic.2. Analyze how Diana’s professional ambitions conflict with her current circumstances on the island.
Answer:
Diana’s career aspirations as an art specialist at Sotheby’s are a core part of her identity, as seen in her pride about potential promotions and her admiration for her boss Eva. However, being stranded on the island forces her to confront the possibility of losing her job due to the pandemic. This creates tension between her planned career trajectory (“the direction I was headed”) and the uncertainty of her future. The chapter also hints at a budding realization that art exists beyond galleries—noted when she observes natural beauty like the Sally Lightfoot crabs—suggesting a subtle shift in her perspective.3. What does Diana’s interaction with Kitomi Ito reveal about her professional discipline and personal curiosity?
Answer:
Despite her initial bias against Kitomi (based on the Nightjars’ lore), Diana demonstrates professionalism by obeying Eva’s order to remain silent during their meeting. Yet her fascination with art overrides even this directive—she nearly greets Kitomi before stopping herself, and later becomes utterly absorbed in the Toulouse-Lautrec painting. Her detailed knowledge of the artist’s background (e.g., his skeletal dysplasia, romantic liaisons) underscores her expertise. This scene showcases Diana’s ability to balance workplace obedience with genuine passion for art, while also humanizing Kitomi beyond her “villain” reputation.4. How does the chapter use communication barriers to emphasize Diana’s emotional state?
Answer:
Communication failures—failed calls to Finn, garbled texts, and unanswered postcards—mirror Diana’s growing sense of disconnection. The metaphor of “shouting into a canyon” underscores her isolation, while the “hazier” perception of her life parallels the unreliable signals. Even her conversations with Abuela rely on charades, emphasizing emotional and linguistic barriers. These technical and interpersonal communication gaps amplify her homesickness and anxiety about her relationship and career, making the pandemic’s disruption feel both literal and psychological.5. Evaluate how the Toulouse-Lautrec painting serves as a narrative device in the chapter.
Answer:
The painting acts as a microcosm of Diana’s artistic ideals and the story’s themes. Her visceral reaction to it (time-traveling into the scene) mirrors how art transports her from her current isolation. Toulouse-Lautrec’s own life—marked by physical constraints and societal judgment—parallels Diana’s feeling of being “blown off course.” The painting’s depiction of lovers also contrasts with her separation from Finn. By focusing on this artwork, the chapter reinforces art’s role as both Diana’s professional anchor and a lens for her personal reflections.
Quotes
1. “The idea of being by yourself on a desert island has a romantic cachet to it, but the reality is less attractive.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s struggle with isolation, contrasting the idealized notion of solitude with its harsh reality. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of loneliness and the human need for connection.
2. “With every passing hour, all of that feels hazier, as if the pandemic is a fog that’s rolled in from nowhere and nothing looks quite the way it used to.”
This powerful metaphor illustrates how the pandemic has fundamentally altered the protagonist’s perception of time, relationships, and future plans. It represents a key turning point in her emotional journey.
3. “I liked the direction I was headed.”
This simple yet profound statement reveals the protagonist’s career ambitions and her sudden confrontation with potential loss. It highlights the chapter’s theme of disrupted plans and identity crisis during the pandemic.
4. “I wanted to walk down the hall at Sotheby’s and hear interns whisper. I wanted my name inextricably tangled with works of great art.”
These sentences vividly express the protagonist’s professional aspirations and ambition. They provide important context for understanding her career motivations and the stakes of her current situation.
5. “Suddenly I was there, in the way that art can make you time-travel: I could imagine the painter, mixing his palette; could smell the attar of roses on the bedsheets; could hear the thumps of the prostitutes entertaining their clients in the rooms on either side.”
This eloquent passage demonstrates the protagonist’s deep connection to art and her professional expertise. It serves as both a beautiful description of art’s power and a reminder of what she might lose.