Wish You Were Here:
Chapter 11: Eleven
by Picoult, JodiDiana awakens in a hospital, disoriented and unable to speak due to a tube in her throat. The bright lights and mechanical sounds confirm she is in an ICU. A medical professional instructs her to blink for answers and remove the tube by coughing, which leaves her throat painfully raw. As her vision clears, she notices “COVID +” written on the window, signaling her diagnosis. Finn, dressed in full protective gear, holds her hand, revealing he broke protocol to see her, as visitors are barred from the ICU.
Finn explains Diana was on a ventilator for five days after collapsing at home, and her recent breathing trial allowed her extubation. Diana struggles to process this information, her mind clouded by sedation. When Finn is urged to leave by another nurse, Diana urgently asks about Gabriel, a person she recalls being with in the water. Finn dismisses this as delirium common in COVID patients, but Diana insists her memories are clear—she remembers drowning and letting go of Gabriel.
Confused, Diana questions how she returned from the Galápagos, where she believed she was with Gabriel. Finn is baffled, stating she never went there. This revelation shocks Diana, as her vivid memories clash with Finn’s account. The chapter highlights her disorientation and the disconnect between her perceived reality and the facts presented by Finn, leaving her grappling with uncertainty.
The emotional core of the chapter lies in Diana’s struggle to reconcile her memories with the present. Finn’s tears and protective demeanor underscore the gravity of her condition, while her insistence on Gabriel’s existence hints at deeper psychological or supernatural elements. The chapter ends on a haunting note, blurring the lines between reality and illusion, setting the stage for further exploration of Diana’s mysterious experiences.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Diana being labeled “COVID +” in the hospital, and how does this detail contribute to the story’s context?
Answer:
The “COVID +” label on Diana’s hospital window indicates she has tested positive for COVID-19, placing the story during the pandemic. This detail explains the strict protocols in the ICU (e.g., no visitors, Finn wearing full PPE) and adds urgency to her condition. It also contextualizes Finn’s remark about “a lot of Covid patients” experiencing delirium, highlighting the medical challenges of the time. The pandemic setting underscores the isolation and fear Diana experiences, making Finn’s unauthorized visit—and his emotional reaction—even more poignant.2. Analyze the conflicting realities Diana and Finn experience regarding the Galápagos. What does this reveal about Diana’s state of mind?
Answer:
Diana vividly remembers being swept out to sea in the Galápagos and letting go of Gabriel, while Finn insists she never went there. This disconnect suggests Diana’s memories are either hallucinations or dreams induced by sedation or her illness. The chapter leaves ambiguity about whether her experience was a coma-induced fantasy or a psychological escape from her COVID-19 ordeal. This tension between reality and perception raises questions about trauma, memory, and how the mind copes with extreme stress.3. How does the author use sensory details to convey Diana’s physical and emotional state after waking up?
Answer:
The chapter emphasizes Diana’s disorientation and pain through vivid sensory descriptions: the “whir and click of machines,” the raw dryness of her throat from the ventilator tube, and the feeling of breathing “broken glass.” The reversed “COVID +” sign forces her to slowly piece together her surroundings, mirroring her fragmented awareness. Finn’s tearful face behind a plastic shield adds a visual and emotional layer, highlighting the isolation of pandemic hospital care. These details immerse the reader in her vulnerability and confusion.4. Why might Finn’s reaction to Diana’s mention of Gabriel be significant for the story’s larger narrative?
Answer:
Finn’s confusion about Gabriel—dismissing him as part of Diana’s delirium—hints at a deeper mystery. If Gabriel was imaginary, he may symbolize something Diana has lost or repressed (e.g., a past trauma or unfulfilled desire). Alternatively, if Gabriel was real, Finn’s ignorance suggests Diana’s experience in the Galápagos might have been a parallel reality or premonition. This moment plants narrative tension, making readers question what is real and foreshadowing future revelations about Diana’s past or psyche.5. Apply the chapter’s themes of isolation and connection to Finn’s decision to visit Diana despite the rules. What does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Finn’s risky visit—breaking ICU protocols to hold Diana’s hand—shows deep care that transcends professional boundaries. His tears and reassurance (“You’re going to be okay”) contrast with the sterile, impersonal hospital environment, emphasizing human connection in the face of pandemic-enforced isolation. Their relationship appears intimate, possibly romantic, given his emotional vulnerability. This act underscores the theme that even in crises, people seek closeness, defying rules to comfort those they love. It also raises stakes for future conflicts, as Finn’s actions could have professional consequences.
Quotes
1. ““Blink once for yes,” I hear. “Twice for no. Don’t try to talk.””
This opening line immediately immerses the reader in the protagonist’s disoriented state, establishing the medical crisis and her inability to communicate normally. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of blurred reality and recovery.
2. ““You’re going to be okay,” Finn says, crying. He is not supposed to be here.”
This emotional moment reveals both Finn’s deep concern and the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic (with strict ICU visitation rules). The contradiction in his presence hints at the story’s tension between rules and human connection.
3. ““Diana,” he says, “you never went.””
This shocking revelation serves as the chapter’s climactic twist, forcing both Diana and the reader to question the reality of her Galápagos experience. It fundamentally challenges the narrative’s assumptions and introduces the central mystery of what truly happened.
4. “I’m not confused. I remember all of it—the current that swept me out to sea, the salt burning my throat, the moment I let go of Gabriel.”
This visceral memory contrasts sharply with Finn’s medical explanation, highlighting the conflict between Diana’s lived experience and clinical reality. The sensory details make her recollection feel undeniably real despite others’ skepticism.