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 32: Alice
byPicoult, Jodi
Alice finds solace in Gideon’s arms, escaping the turmoil of her marriage to Thomas, whose unpredictable moods and emotional distance have left her feeling isolated. With Gideon, she imagines an alternative life where they form a loving family. However, their affair takes a dramatic turn when Alice discovers she is pregnant, forcing both to confront the reality of their situation. Gideon bravely informs his mother-in-law, Nevvie, who reacts with cold detachment, signaling the end of his marriage. This moment of truth compels Alice to face Thomas, though she struggles with guilt and hesitation.
As Alice prepares to reveal her affair and pregnancy, she makes a deliberate effort to engage with Thomas, sharing mundane tasks and conversation in an attempt to soften the blow. When she finally confesses her love for Gideon and her pregnancy, Thomas is devastated, weeping and questioning what he did wrong. Alice, torn between pity and self-loathing, reassures him that the failure of their marriage is her fault. However, his grief quickly turns to violence when he strikes her across the face, calling her a “whore” and forcing her to flee.
The confrontation escalates as Alice attempts to take her daughter, Jenna, with her, but Thomas intercepts her, physically restraining her and claiming Jenna as his own. He threatens Alice, implying that she will never take their daughter away, even if it costs Alice her life. Heartbroken and terrified, Alice is forced to leave Jenna behind, knowing her departure will confirm the child’s worst fear of abandonment. The chapter ends with Alice running for help, consumed by guilt and sorrow.
This chapter highlights the emotional and physical consequences of Alice’s choices, as well as the destructive power of betrayal and unresolved pain. Thomas’s violent reaction underscores his deep-seated instability, while Alice’s inability to protect Jenna reveals the tragic cost of her actions. The narrative captures the raw emotions of heartbreak, rage, and desperation, leaving the reader with a sense of impending tragedy as Alice’s world collapses around her.
FAQs
1. How does Alice describe her relationship with Gideon, and what does it provide her that her marriage to Thomas does not?
Answer:
Alice describes Gideon’s arms as “the safest place in the world,” highlighting how he offers her emotional security and escape from the turmoil of her marriage. With Gideon, she can temporarily forget Thomas’s unpredictable mood swings, their daily arguments, and his isolating behavior. The relationship allows her to imagine an idealized family dynamic with Gideon and Jenna—one she had hoped to have with Thomas. This contrasts sharply with her marriage, which is marked by fear, secrecy, and emotional distance. Gideon represents stability and hope, while Thomas embodies instability and disappointment.2. Analyze the significance of the line: “Resolve is like porcelain, isn’t it?” in the context of Alice’s confrontation with Thomas.
Answer:
This metaphor illustrates the fragility of Alice’s determination to leave Thomas. Despite her strong intentions, her resolve weakens when she sees Thomas’s vulnerability—his smile and nostalgic comment about working together. The “hairline crack” appears when she momentarily sees the man he once was, causing her to hesitate. This moment of sympathy foreshadows her eventual confession, showing how easily resolve can shatter under emotional pressure. The porcelain analogy underscores the tension between her desire for freedom and lingering guilt, making her eventual decision to reveal the truth even more dramatic.3. How does Thomas’s reaction to Alice’s confession reveal the complexities of his character?
Answer:
Thomas’s reaction is multifaceted, revealing both his pain and his capacity for violence. Initially, he weeps and asks, “What did I do wrong?“—showing vulnerability and self-doubt. This moment humanizes him, as Alice recalls their past connection. However, his abrupt shift to physical violence (“he smacked me so hard across the face that I tasted blood”) and verbal abuse (“Whore”) exposes his darker, controlling side. His threat to keep Jenna—”Over my dead body. Or better yet, over yours”—further demonstrates his instability. These extremes paint him as a tragic figure: a man struggling with mental illness, rejection, and loss of control.4. What internal conflict does Alice face when deciding to leave Jenna behind, and how does this reflect the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
Alice is torn between her maternal instinct to protect Jenna and her need to escape Thomas’s violence. Her silent apology—”I’m sorry, baby”—reveals her anguish over fulfilling Jenna’s “worst fear” of abandonment. This conflict underscores themes of sacrifice and impossible choices in toxic relationships. By leaving, Alice prioritizes survival, but at the cost of maternal guilt. The moment also highlights the cyclical nature of trauma: Alice, who studies elephant grief, now inflicts emotional pain on her child. The scene emphasizes how dysfunction forces victims into lose-lose decisions, with no truly “safe” outcome.5. Compare how Gideon and Thomas handle the news of Alice’s pregnancy, and what their responses suggest about their relationships with her.
Answer:
Gideon reacts with optimism, framing the pregnancy as destiny (“We were meant to be together”) and assuring Alice it will “be okay,” despite her doubts. His proactive approach—telling Nevvie first—shows commitment to building a future with Alice. In contrast, Thomas responds with devastation, weeping and asking where he failed. His violent outburst reveals possessiveness and a sense of betrayal. Gideon’s reaction aligns with his role as Alice’s emotional sanctuary, while Thomas’s reflects his instability and the marriage’s collapse. The contrast underscores Alice’s transition from a broken marriage to a relationship she hopes will be healthier—though the “price” (ruined marriages, Grace’s life) remains heavy.
Quotes
1. “When I was with Gideon I could pretend that the three of us were the family I had hoped to be.”
This quote captures Alice’s emotional refuge in her relationship with Gideon, contrasting sharply with her troubled marriage to Thomas. It introduces the central tension of the chapter—the collision between fantasy and reality in relationships.
2. “We pretended to be racing forward, but we didn’t move an inch, because of the trapdoors that threatened to swallow us.”
A powerful metaphor for the paralysis caused by their secret affair and unacknowledged consequences. This represents the chapter’s turning point where avoidance becomes impossible.
3. “Resolve is like porcelain, isn’t it? You can have the best intentions, but the moment there’s a hairline crack, it is only a matter of time before you go to pieces.”
This philosophical observation underscores Alice’s wavering determination to leave Thomas, showing how momentary compassion can unravel firm decisions—a key insight into human vulnerability.
4. “But was it because he’d disappeared? Or because I’d stopped looking?”
A crucial moment of self-reflection where Alice questions her own role in the marriage’s deterioration. This represents the chapter’s most introspective insight about perception and responsibility.
5. “You want to go? Be my guest. But you want to take my daughter with you? Over my dead body. Or better yet, over yours.”
Thomas’s violent ultimatum marks the chapter’s dramatic climax, revealing how quickly pain turns to threat and establishing the stakes for Alice’s impossible choice between freedom and motherhood.