Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story

    Leaving Time

    by

    Picoult, Jodi

    “Leaving Time” by Jodi Picoult is a gripping novel that intertwines mystery, grief, and the bond between humans and elephants. The story follows Jenna Metcalf, a 13-year-old girl searching for her mother, Alice, a renowned elephant researcher who disappeared a decade earlier under mysterious circumstances. With the help of a skeptical psychic and a disgraced detective, Jenna uncovers buried secrets about her mother’s work and the tragic events at an elephant sanctuary. The novel explores themes of memory, loss, and maternal love, while weaving in fascinating insights into elephant behavior and emotions. Picoult blends emotional depth with suspense, culminating in a surprising twist that redefines the narrative.

    PreviousNext
    Leaving Time

    Chapter 24: Alice

    by

    Picoult, Jodi

    The chap­ter explores the pro­found grief of Mau­ra, an ele­phant mourn­ing the death of her calf, and the emo­tion­al rip­ple effects on those around her. Alice, the nar­ra­tor, observes Mau­ra’s with­draw­al from her sur­round­ings, not­ing how she stops eat­ing and avoids inter­ac­tions, even with enrich­ment tools she once enjoyed. The absence of her herd exac­er­bates her iso­la­tion, mak­ing her grief more acute. Alice and oth­ers attempt to com­fort Mau­ra, but her sor­row remains over­whelm­ing, high­light­ing the deep emo­tion­al bonds ele­phants form and the dev­as­tat­ing impact of loss.

    Mean­while, Thomas, Alice’s hus­band and the sanc­tu­ary’s man­ag­er, reacts to the tragedy with a stark­ly dif­fer­ent approach. While the oth­ers remain mired in sad­ness, Thomas shifts into hyper-effi­cient mode, focus­ing on new fundrais­ing ideas to sus­tain the sanc­tu­ary. His abrupt tran­si­tion from cata­ton­ic grief to relent­less pro­duc­tiv­i­ty puz­zles Alice, who prefers this ver­sion of him over the bro­ken man she briefly wit­nessed. She becomes his unwa­ver­ing sup­port­er, hop­ing her pres­ence can pre­vent his depres­sion from resur­fac­ing, even as she takes on addi­tion­al respon­si­bil­i­ties to keep the sanc­tu­ary run­ning.

    The chap­ter takes a dra­mat­ic turn when Alice dis­cov­ers Thomas has drained their shared bank account and tak­en out a sec­ond mort­gage with­out con­sult­ing her. This finan­cial reck­less­ness leaves the sanc­tu­ary in dire straits, unable to pay for essen­tial sup­plies or employ­ee wages. Alice’s frus­tra­tion peaks when she learns Thomas has impul­sive­ly pur­chased a truck­load of orchids, inspired by a dream, despite their imprac­ti­cal­i­ty and cost. His grandiose plans for an obser­va­tion deck to attract donors fur­ther under­score his detach­ment from their imme­di­ate finan­cial cri­sis.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Alice con­fronting Thomas about his irre­spon­si­ble deci­sions, reveal­ing the grow­ing ten­sion between them. While his vision for the sanc­tu­ary’s future is ambi­tious, his lack of com­mu­ni­ca­tion and finan­cial pru­dence threat­ens its sta­bil­i­ty. Alice’s deter­mi­na­tion to sal­vage the sit­u­a­tion con­trasts with Thomas’s man­ic opti­mism, set­ting the stage for a deep­er con­flict. The chap­ter under­scores themes of grief, resilience, and the chal­lenges of bal­anc­ing emo­tion­al needs with prac­ti­cal real­i­ties in both per­son­al and pro­fes­sion­al spheres.

    Down­load PDF Sum­ma­ry

    FAQs

    • 1. How does Alice describe the impact of grief on Maura, and what measures does the sanctuary staff take to help her cope?

      Answer:
      Alice observes that Maura’s grief is profoundly visible in her physical demeanor—she moves gingerly as if even air contact is painful and isolates herself near her calf’s grave. The staff attempts various interventions: Gideon installs a bristled brush (an enrichment tool Maura previously enjoyed), Grace offers her favorite foods like red grapes and watermelon, and Nevvie suggests introducing Hester for companionship. However, Maura remains unresponsive, refusing food and ignoring stimuli. Alice documents Maura’s behavior scientifically but also empathizes with her emotional struggle, noting the absence of a herd’s support system exacerbates the elephant’s isolation.

      2. Contrast Thomas’s behavior before and after the calf’s death. What might explain this shift, and how does Alice respond to it?

      Answer:
      Initially, Thomas is depicted as catatonic, staring blankly at a book in his office, overwhelmed by grief. However, he later becomes hyper-efficient, channeling energy into securing funding (e.g., planning an observation deck for donors) and making unilateral financial decisions (withdrawing funds, ordering orchids). Alice interprets his manic productivity as a coping mechanism to avoid depression, possibly triggered by her presence. She resolves to support him unconditionally, even tolerating his erratic decisions, as she fears becoming a trigger for his emotional collapse. This duality highlights his unstable mental state and Alice’s role as his emotional anchor.

      3. Analyze the significance of the bank account incident. What does it reveal about Thomas and Alice’s relationship dynamics?

      Answer:
      The account closure and unauthorized withdrawals expose Thomas’s reckless financial behavior and lack of partnership with Alice. He drains shared funds for impractical ventures (orchids, renovations) without consulting her, jeopardizing the sanctuary’s operations. Alice’s shock (“How could he make decisions like this without talking to me?”) underscores their dysfunctional communication and power imbalance. Thomas prioritizes grandiose ideas over practical needs, while Alice, though frustrated, avoids confrontation to maintain stability. This incident foreshadows deeper trust issues and financial instability, reflecting Thomas’s impulsivity and Alice’s enabling role.

      4. How does the chapter use animal behavior to mirror human emotions, particularly in the context of grief?

      Answer:
      The chapter draws parallels between animal and human grief: Maura’s withdrawal mirrors Thomas’s initial catatonia, while the anecdotes of grieving horses and dolphins illustrate cross-species emotional depth. Alice’s observation that “dying of grief is evolutionarily unfeasible” frames grief as a universal yet survivable experience. Maura’s isolation without her herd mirrors human reliance on community for healing. These parallels deepen the narrative’s emotional resonance, blurring the line between human and animal suffering and emphasizing the need for social support in overcoming loss.

      5. Evaluate Alice’s role as both a scientist and a caregiver in this chapter. How do these dual perspectives shape her actions?

      Answer:
      Alice balances clinical detachment (recording Maura’s behavior as data) with deep empathy (feeling “heartbroken” for her). As a scientist, she studies Maura’s grief as an academic case, noting the rarity of lone elephant recovery. As a caregiver, she intervenes to prevent Maura’s decline and supports Thomas emotionally. This duality creates tension—her scientific objectivity clashes with her personal investment in the sanctuary’s survival and Thomas’s well-being. Her actions (documenting Maura while soothing Jenna, tolerating Thomas’s behavior) reflect this conflict, showcasing the complexity of roles in conservation and relationships.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Dying of grief is the ultimate sacrifice, but it is not evolutionarily feasible. If grief were that overwhelming, a species would simply be erased.”

      This opening observation introduces the chapter’s central theme of profound grief and its impact on both elephants and humans. The biological perspective on grief frames the subsequent narrative about Maura’s mourning and Alice’s attempts to help her.

      2. “The vacancy of her stare, the way she seemed to take up less material space than she had before—it made me think of Thomas, staring down at the blank book in his office three nights after the calf’s death. Physically present, but mentally somewhere else.”

      This powerful comparison connects elephant and human grief, showing how loss manifests similarly across species. It also foreshadows Thomas’s later erratic behavior and establishes Alice’s role as observer of both animal and human suffering.

      3. “If I was going to be honest, I didn’t mind picking up the slack of running the sanctuary while Thomas was busy. Anything was better than the shock of seeing him the way he’d been—broken and unreachable.”

      This reveals Alice’s complex relationship with Thomas, showing her willingness to compensate for his instability out of fear of his depression returning. It highlights the chapter’s exploration of caretaking roles and emotional boundaries.

      4. “I hoped that maybe I was the necessary ingredient in that equation, that my presence was enough to keep his depression from returning in the future.”

      This vulnerable admission shows Alice’s self-imposed burden as Thomas’s emotional caretaker. The quote captures the chapter’s examination of codependent relationships and the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves to “fix” others.

      5. “He’d bought a truckload of exotic flowers that we didn’t need, because of a dream? Orchids would not grow in this soil. And they were not cheap. That delivery was money thrown away.”

      This moment marks a turning point where Thomas’s manic behavior threatens the sanctuary’s survival. The quote illustrates the chapter’s exploration of mental health’s impact on practical realities and relationships.

    Quotes

    1. “Dying of grief is the ultimate sacrifice, but it is not evolutionarily feasible. If grief were that overwhelming, a species would simply be erased.”

    This opening observation introduces the chapter’s central theme of profound grief and its impact on both elephants and humans. The biological perspective on grief frames the subsequent narrative about Maura’s mourning and Alice’s attempts to help her.

    2. “The vacancy of her stare, the way she seemed to take up less material space than she had before—it made me think of Thomas, staring down at the blank book in his office three nights after the calf’s death. Physically present, but mentally somewhere else.”

    This powerful comparison connects elephant and human grief, showing how loss manifests similarly across species. It also foreshadows Thomas’s later erratic behavior and establishes Alice’s role as observer of both animal and human suffering.

    3. “If I was going to be honest, I didn’t mind picking up the slack of running the sanctuary while Thomas was busy. Anything was better than the shock of seeing him the way he’d been—broken and unreachable.”

    This reveals Alice’s complex relationship with Thomas, showing her willingness to compensate for his instability out of fear of his depression returning. It highlights the chapter’s exploration of caretaking roles and emotional boundaries.

    4. “I hoped that maybe I was the necessary ingredient in that equation, that my presence was enough to keep his depression from returning in the future.”

    This vulnerable admission shows Alice’s self-imposed burden as Thomas’s emotional caretaker. The quote captures the chapter’s examination of codependent relationships and the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves to “fix” others.

    5. “He’d bought a truckload of exotic flowers that we didn’t need, because of a dream? Orchids would not grow in this soil. And they were not cheap. That delivery was money thrown away.”

    This moment marks a turning point where Thomas’s manic behavior threatens the sanctuary’s survival. The quote illustrates the chapter’s exploration of mental health’s impact on practical realities and relationships.

    FAQs

    1. How does Alice describe the impact of grief on Maura, and what measures does the sanctuary staff take to help her cope?

    Answer:
    Alice observes that Maura’s grief is profoundly visible in her physical demeanor—she moves gingerly as if even air contact is painful and isolates herself near her calf’s grave. The staff attempts various interventions: Gideon installs a bristled brush (an enrichment tool Maura previously enjoyed), Grace offers her favorite foods like red grapes and watermelon, and Nevvie suggests introducing Hester for companionship. However, Maura remains unresponsive, refusing food and ignoring stimuli. Alice documents Maura’s behavior scientifically but also empathizes with her emotional struggle, noting the absence of a herd’s support system exacerbates the elephant’s isolation.

    2. Contrast Thomas’s behavior before and after the calf’s death. What might explain this shift, and how does Alice respond to it?

    Answer:
    Initially, Thomas is depicted as catatonic, staring blankly at a book in his office, overwhelmed by grief. However, he later becomes hyper-efficient, channeling energy into securing funding (e.g., planning an observation deck for donors) and making unilateral financial decisions (withdrawing funds, ordering orchids). Alice interprets his manic productivity as a coping mechanism to avoid depression, possibly triggered by her presence. She resolves to support him unconditionally, even tolerating his erratic decisions, as she fears becoming a trigger for his emotional collapse. This duality highlights his unstable mental state and Alice’s role as his emotional anchor.

    3. Analyze the significance of the bank account incident. What does it reveal about Thomas and Alice’s relationship dynamics?

    Answer:
    The account closure and unauthorized withdrawals expose Thomas’s reckless financial behavior and lack of partnership with Alice. He drains shared funds for impractical ventures (orchids, renovations) without consulting her, jeopardizing the sanctuary’s operations. Alice’s shock (“How could he make decisions like this without talking to me?”) underscores their dysfunctional communication and power imbalance. Thomas prioritizes grandiose ideas over practical needs, while Alice, though frustrated, avoids confrontation to maintain stability. This incident foreshadows deeper trust issues and financial instability, reflecting Thomas’s impulsivity and Alice’s enabling role.

    4. How does the chapter use animal behavior to mirror human emotions, particularly in the context of grief?

    Answer:
    The chapter draws parallels between animal and human grief: Maura’s withdrawal mirrors Thomas’s initial catatonia, while the anecdotes of grieving horses and dolphins illustrate cross-species emotional depth. Alice’s observation that “dying of grief is evolutionarily unfeasible” frames grief as a universal yet survivable experience. Maura’s isolation without her herd mirrors human reliance on community for healing. These parallels deepen the narrative’s emotional resonance, blurring the line between human and animal suffering and emphasizing the need for social support in overcoming loss.

    5. Evaluate Alice’s role as both a scientist and a caregiver in this chapter. How do these dual perspectives shape her actions?

    Answer:
    Alice balances clinical detachment (recording Maura’s behavior as data) with deep empathy (feeling “heartbroken” for her). As a scientist, she studies Maura’s grief as an academic case, noting the rarity of lone elephant recovery. As a caregiver, she intervenes to prevent Maura’s decline and supports Thomas emotionally. This duality creates tension—her scientific objectivity clashes with her personal investment in the sanctuary’s survival and Thomas’s well-being. Her actions (documenting Maura while soothing Jenna, tolerating Thomas’s behavior) reflect this conflict, showcasing the complexity of roles in conservation and relationships.

    Note