Leaving Time
“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.
Chapter 27: Jenna
byPicoult, Jodi
Jenna visits The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, where she observes the facility’s storefront adorned with images of elephants, including Maura, her mother’s favorite. The sanctuary promotes a philosophy of “protected contact,” emphasizing positive reinforcement over traditional bull hooks. As Jenna explores, she contrasts this approach with the “free contact” method used at her mother’s former sanctuary, hinting at past tragedies. Her curiosity leads her to sneak into the sanctuary grounds by hiding in an employee’s pickup truck, determined to uncover clues about her mother’s disappearance.
Upon arriving at the sanctuary’s expansive grounds, Jenna is struck by the pristine environment and the vast, green landscape. She stealthily observes an African elephant, marveling at its size and the metal tips on its tusks. Her presence is soon discovered by Gideon, a sanctuary worker who recognizes her resemblance to her mother, Alice. Their encounter is charged with tension and hope, as Gideon reveals he had expected Alice to flee with Jenna years ago, but she never contacted him.
The conversation between Jenna and Gideon uncovers painful truths. Gideon admits he covered for Alice when the police investigated Nevvie’s death, assuming Alice had taken Jenna and disappeared. Jenna’s hope surges at the revelation that her mother had planned to escape with her, but it quickly deflates when Gideon confirms he knows nothing of Alice’s current whereabouts. The emotional weight of the moment leaves Jenna feeling both validated and devastated, as her search hits another dead end.
The chapter culminates in a mix of revelation and unresolved mystery. Jenna’s journey to find her mother takes a poignant turn as she grapples with the reality that even those closest to Alice are just as clueless about her fate. The sanctuary, once a potential lead, becomes another reminder of the unanswered questions surrounding her mother’s disappearance. Jenna’s determination persists, but the chapter closes on a note of bittersweet realization, underscoring the complexity of her quest.
FAQs
1. What are the key differences between “free contact” and “protected contact” elephant management approaches described in the chapter?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts two elephant management methods. Free contact, which Jenna’s mother used at the New England Sanctuary, allows caregivers direct access to elephant enclosures, often using tools like bull hooks for control. Protected contact, implemented at the Tennessee sanctuary since 2010, maintains barriers between humans and elephants, using positive reinforcement instead of negative reinforcement. This method gives elephants agency to walk away, particularly benefiting animals with human trust issues from prior free contact experiences. The shift suggests evolving ethical standards in elephant care following incidents like the New England Sanctuary’s tragedy.2. How does Jenna’s discovery of Gideon reveal both hope and disappointment in her search for her mother?
Answer:
Jenna’s encounter with Gideon creates emotional whiplash. Initially, his recognition of her (“You look just like her”) and immediate mention of Alice suggest a breakthrough. His revelation that Alice planned to take Jenna away confirms the mother’s love, filling Jenna with joy (“My body is infused with light”). However, Gideon’s subsequent confusion about Alice’s whereabouts (“she never tried to contact me”) dashes these hopes, mirroring Jenna’s disappointment through his expression. This interaction underscores the chapter’s theme of fragile hope, where each potential clue ultimately extends rather than resolves Jenna’s quest.3. Analyze how the sanctuary’s physical security measures reflect its philosophical approach to elephant care.
Answer:
The sanctuary’s layered security—dual electronic gates requiring access codes—physically manifests its protective philosophy. Unlike traditional zoos prioritizing visitor access, these barriers serve dual purposes: preventing unauthorized human entry while allowing elephants to roam 2,700 acres undisturbed. The concealed location (no visible elephant habitats from town) and lack of public tours reinforce that elephants aren’t spectacles. Even employee vehicles lack logos, minimizing attention. These measures create a sanctuary truly prioritizing elephant welfare over entertainment, contrasting sharply with facilities where elephants perform or interact closely with visitors.4. What symbolic significance does the African elephant encounter hold for Jenna’s journey?
Answer:
The African elephant encounter serves as a visceral turning point. Its immense size and sudden dust cloud startle Jenna, physically knocking her back—a metaphor for how her search disrupts her equilibrium. The tusk caps suggest past trauma (possibly from poaching), mirroring Jenna’s own emotional scars. Importantly, this direct elephant experience precedes meeting Gideon, symbolizing that truth—like elephants—can be overwhelming yet awe-inspiring. The elephant’s protected contact barrier also reflects Jenna’s journey: she seeks to bridge separation from her mother, just as the sanctuary bridges human-elephant divides through careful, ethical connection.
Quotes
1. “Free contact. So that’s what it’s called when you can go right into an enclosure, like my mother and our caregivers used to do. I wonder if the death at our sanctuary, and the debacle that followed, led to the change.”
This quote introduces the key concept of “free contact” in elephant care and hints at a pivotal traumatic event in the sanctuary’s past. It shows Jenna making connections between her mother’s work and broader changes in elephant management practices.
2. “Our whole philosophy is to let the elephants live out their lives being elephants, instead of being on display.”
This statement captures the sanctuary’s core philosophy that contrasts sharply with traditional zoo approaches. It represents the ethical shift in animal care that forms an important backdrop to Jenna’s journey and her mother’s work.
3. “Hope is a balloon, always just a breath away from being deflated.”
This poetic metaphor perfectly encapsulates Jenna’s emotional state as she searches for her mother. It represents a key turning point where her high hopes begin to fade upon realizing Gideon doesn’t have the answers she needs.
4. “All of a sudden, my body is infused with light. She wanted me; she wanted me; she wanted me.”
This powerful moment reveals Jenna’s desperate need for proof of her mother’s love. The repetition and physical description make this an emotionally charged revelation about Jenna’s deepest motivations for her search.
5. “I thought I was [part of the plan], but she never tried to contact me. She disappeared.”
Gideon’s revelation marks a major plot development, confirming that Alice’s disappearance was unplanned and mysterious. This quote raises the central unanswered question that drives the narrative forward.