A Literary Analysis of Still Alice Essay

quiesce Alice (Genova, 2009) is a captivating de merely raw around a 50-year-old womans sudden decline into betimes(a) encroachment Alzheimers malady. The bind is written by first cartridge holder author Lisa Genova, who holds a PH.D in neuroscience from Harvard University. Shes also an online columnist for the field of study Alzheimers association. Her other books include Left Neglected and Love Anthony. She lives with her master(prenominal)tain and two children in Cape Cod. The theme of the book is related to the aboriginal onset Alzheimers distemper and how the main eccentric, Alice Howlands quality of smell or in other delivery her disembodied spiritstyle is affected delinquent to the unsoundness she is diagnosed with (Genova, 2009). The novel sheds light on the lives of those struggling with this horrendous ailment of the straits and how their lives and people in them are affected and disturbed because of it. The life and daily activities of an early on-se t Alzheimers unwellnessiness patient worsenedns with time, if proper counselor-at-law sessions and treatment are not conducted their situation will get worse and result in severe damage to their psychic health. As the tosh begins, every(prenominal)day quarrels reside in the Howland household.From their youngest daughter Lydias ongoing hostility ab aside her future, to Alice and tooshies sustain relationship, each(prenominal) darn their sprightly lives ensue. Why couldnt Lydia be wish the rest of her family? Her brother tom and sister Anna followed in their parents footsteps. Going to college and having successful shell outers was their word picture of life. John is a biologist and Alice a professor of linguistics, both of them bet at Harvard University. Lydia is the outcast of the family. She travels the humans, is worry free, and aspires to be an actress. The hectic lives of both Alice and John weigh on their relationship. Tension increases with the story as Alic e is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease. The coping skills of Alice and her family with her diagnosis set the t matchless for the story. Alices intragroup conflict consumes her, although she tries to never let Alzheimers disease define her. She is flip with herself for forgetting things, yet tries to come up with reasons as to why she is forgetting.Her father takes the brunt of all Alices anger. Her hatred for him grows. Why did he have to take the lives of her get under ones skin and sister? Is it his fault Alice has Alzheimers? Alice continues with a stiff desire to digest to society. The once estranged relationship between Alice and her daughter Lydia gradually improves, and adaughter finds solace in a mother she never knew. A keep up, who at one time stood by his wife by everything, surprises his family and leaves his suffer wife behind for a new trading fortune. Still Alice is told in the third person point of view with limited omniscience. The narrator is Alice Howland, the main character of the story. Through the book we are open to read the modality Alice is feeling, looking through her eyes as the story unfolds. However, in the final examination chapter of this novel the point of view metamorphoses to her preserve, John Howland. Readers are able to look on as John lives his life away from Alice in immature York. The native setting for console Alice (Genova, 2009) is in Cambridge Massachusetts were the main character Dr.Alice Howland lives with her husband, John Howland, and teaches cognitive psychology at Harvard University. Other settings include their substructure in Chatham Massachusetts where Alice and John go to vacation. The main character is Dr. Alice Howland a modern middle aged professional woman. Shes a brainy professor experiencing mental glitches like forgetting a word while heavy(p) a lecture, misplacing keys, etc. Alice think hind ends this is due to impending menopause, middle age or possibly stress. Bu t she hasnt gone through menopause and shes not feeling stressed. The defining mument is when Alice forgets her way home while jogging in Harvard square (p. 21). Suspecting that something is wrong and without attesting her husband, Alice chooses to see Dr. Davis a neurologist who diagnoses her with early onset Alzheimers disease (p. 70).The diagnosis hits Alice and her family like a death sentence. Alice realizes that she doesnt have enough time left(a) and decides that it should be spent with her family. Her two older children Anna and Tom decide to tolerate genetic testing for the Alzheimers gene. Her oldest daughter Anna tests positive for the gene (p. 108). Alice becomes whole reliant on her blackberry to get through her day and becomes a great list maker though she arset constantly make sensation of her lists. As the disease progresses Alice resigns her teaching position at Harvard University and gives up jogging because she has mixed-up her sense of depth perception. Although the disease robs Alice of her memories, she retains her sense of humor e.g. when she tries to wear her underwear as a sports bra, she laughs at her throw absurd madness (P. 199). Alices character is very compelling, engaging, and holds your attention passim the book.John Howland is Alices husband he is a professor of biochemistry at Harvard University.When John finds out about Alices diagnosis, he thinks that she has been misdiagnosed. He insists on genetic testing, which would show that Alice has the Alzheimers gene. John struggles to deal with Alices diagnosis. He becomes her primary thrilltaker, but refuses to look at Alice when she takes out her pill box. He manages to continue pastureing by leaving Alice large reminder notes on the refrigerator not to go running solitary(prenominal) if (p. 196). John is simply grieving the loss of his wife but is unable to express his emotions in a positive way. A breakthrough finally happens when John is able to comfort his wif e when she experiences an incontinence episode (p. 150). Anna is Alices oldest daughter shes a successful lawyer and is married to Charles, also a lawyer.Anna is strong and fiercely independent just like her mother. Anna deals with her mothers disease by suggesting that if her mom thinks for a second then maybe shell be able to look on things (p. 173). Anna, however still makes time to care for her mom when her dad is away. Alices solely son Tom is a excusable character in the book. He is present during family gatherings and important effects e.g. when Alice discloses that she has Alzheimers disease (p. 103). He deals with his moms diagnosis by being distant. The main antagonist in the book is Alices youngest daughter Lydia Howland. She defies the familys educational tradition and chooses to take acting classes in Los Angeles in hopes of be orgasm an actor. Lydias decision causes a lot of conflict between her parents.Shes the only one that refuses to participate in the Alzheimers genetic testing. However, as Alices condition deteriorates, Lydia becomes the most expensive player of the family she becomes Alices number one advocate. She doesnt try to test Alices memory but is in that location for her when she needs her (p. 162). The relationship between Alice and Lydia improves. Lydia eventually listens to her mothers advice and enrolls at Brandies University to study theater (p. 258). The imagery in Still Alice is captivating. It keeps the lector on their toes, wondering what will happen next in the story. The story is so moving that the reader can essentially picture the characters and endure their experiences through all five senses. One model of imagery that is intriguing is when Alice is a guest speaker at Stanford. Her confidence and love for her career is enticing.She had talked about the particular subject numerous times and every time she had do this, she felt respected. Alice had always talked without reading hernotes with ease. Well into her di scussion she suddenly becomes puzzled. The selective information reveal that irregular verbs require access to the mental (p. 10). The word was lost even though she understood fully what she had intended to say. As the scene is described, the reader can get a sense of panic that Alice is experiencing (pp. 8-11). An haunting illustration of imagery is when Alice goes for a run through Harvard Square, blocks from her home and cannot remember her way back. The description of her surroundings is etched in the readers mind. Steady stream of joggers, dogs and their owners, walkers, paradiddlebladers, cyclists, and women pushing babies in jogger strollers, like an experienced device driver on a regularly traveled stretch of road (pp. 20-21). The sounds of her Nikes hitting the pavement in syncopated rhythm with the pace of her breath (p. 20). She knew she was in Harvard Square, but she didnt know which way was home (p.21). People, cars, buses, and all kinds of unsufferable noise rushed and wove past her (p. 22).The reader can sense Alices state of fright during this scene. A memorable instance of imagery is when Alice visits her primary care physician. At one point and time Dr. Moyers division held no negative links for Alice. I founding fathert think your memory problems are due to menopause (p.41). She fought the impulses growing louder inside her, plead her to either lie down or get the hell out of that examining room immediately. The reader can perceive the state of anxiety Alice is in (p.41). Other doctor visits were just as interesting. Alzheimers disease.The words knocked the wind out of herThe sound of her name penetrated her every cell and seemed to fritter away her molecules beyond the boundaries of her own skin (pp. 70-71). The visit to Mount Auburn manor Nursing Center was striking. Walkers crowded the spaces between the tablesThere was no socializing, no conversationThe only sounds other than eating came from a woman who render while she ate (p . 113). The reader gets the impression that Alice feels she doesnt belong at that place. other prominent illustration of imagery is when Alice gets lost in her own home.She hastened back down the hall and opened the door to the bathroomOnly, to her utter perplexity it wasnt the bathroom (p. 149). The reader understands that Alices disease is progressing, especially when she doesnt recognize her own daughter or her own family. Leave me alone Get out of my house I hate you I dont want you here (p. 211). Alice couldnt understand that it was her family having a remainder about her, nor did she understand why. Shewasnt sad or angry or defeated or scaredshe was hungry (p. 264). The most remarkable moment in the novel that captures the audience is when Carole re deeds Alice to her home after their walk. As Carole and Anna reversed about Alice, Alice smiles and nods her head as to concur, not knowing that they are disquisition of her. Shortly after, Lydia and Anna converse about their father coming to visit. Is Dad coming this weekend? asked the actress (p. 291) The reader comprehends that John has decided to take the new job offer, instead of fulfilling Alices wish for them to stay together.There are many an(prenominal) symbols within the story of Alice Howland objects, actions, or characters that hint a meaning beyond themselves. Clocks play a role throughout the entire book. For Alice clocks are guidelines to what she should be doing at each moment of the day. In the move of her story, the clocks are more of a telephone extension, but as her disease progresses they are much more than that. Alice becomes dependent on the clocks to tell her the things she is supposed to do according to time. Alices Blackberry device is credibly one of the most significant symbols in Still Alice. The Blackberry becomes a part of her as Alzheimers takes over Alice refers to her Blackberry for everything. To Alice, if something was not enter in her device, it never existed. Wi thin the Blackberry, she had an alert asking her five questions every day. These five questions became a reflection of her cognitive level, testing herself to see if her disease has progressed. The questions she quizzes herself include a P.S. if you have trouble answering any of these, go to the file named Butterfly on your computer and follow the instructions on that point immediately (p.119).The file named Butterfly signifies dignity to Alice the file instructs her to commit suicide when she can no longer remember her family. This would have become the give way thing she could do for herself. Alice also has a flit necklace that had been passed down from her mother. This butterfly necklace seems to calm Alice and to give her hope, clarity, and strength. Genovas use of figures of speech brings the reader into the world of a person with Alzheimers disease. When Alice first suspects that there is something wrong with her, she is referred to a specialist for testing. Having complet ed various tests, Alice begins to feel overwhelmed, comparing her thoughts to a roller coaster that she was riding with her eyes shut, unable to know when the next turn would be (p.40). Later, in the same doctors office, Alice learns of her officialdiagnosis of early-onset Alzheimers disease and is stunned. With the use of language, Alice and the reader are brought back to the harsh globe of losing herself. The sound of her name penetrated her every cell and seemed to scatter her molecules beyond the boundaries of her own skin (p.71).Genova relates Alzheimers disease to a beast that is unable to be slayed, giving the reader the knowledge that this disease cannot be beat. In reference to the medications Alice is taking to try to prevent the further decline in her mental state she compares them to aiming squirt guns at a blazing fire (p. 117). passim the book, Alice feels embarrassed and like a burden to those around her. The use of personification of her disease tells the reader ex actly how embarrassed she is there it was, her Alzheimers, stripped and unsanded under the fluorescent lighting (p.129). It is further conveyed to the reader when Alice thinks her husband looks at her the same way he looks at his labs rats (p. 135). In a after scene when Alice refuses to go to dinner with friends the use of simile brings the disease to ablaze life in Alices world. Im a cotton wool candy pink elephant in the room.I make everyone uncomfortable. I turn dinner into a crazy circus act, everyone juggling their nervous shame and forced smiles with their cocktail glasses, forks, and knives (p.218). To keep the book from not being completely negative, there is humor to Alices Alzheimers symptoms. When she was unable to recall which door in her house lead to the bathroom, Genovas use of humor is exactly what the reader needs to get through the scenes. She swung the door open like an prestidigitator revealing her most mystifying trick, but the bathroom didnt magically appe ar (p.150). Nearing the end of the novel, Genova leaves the reader with one last insight into Alices cognitive decline. In a moment of clarity Alice reads the cover of the book she wrote with her husband The words she read seemed to push past the choking weeds and sludge in her mind to a place that was pristine and still intact, hanging on (p. 284). The story of Still Alice is based on an dry situation.Dr. Alice Howland is a psychology professor at Harvard University and an expert in linguistics (the study of language and its structure). She finds herself at a crossroads when she is diagnosed with Early incursion Alzheimers Disease at the age of fifty. Dr. Howland also keeps remarkable care of her well-being by eating healthy, running Harvard square each day, property her mind active between teaching classes, and attendingconferences. While talking over her new diagnosis Alice comes to realize she may have misjudged her father, presume he was a belligerent alcoholic, in reality she realizes he was probable suffering from undiagnosed Alzheimers disease (p.76). To top off the teetotal chain of events Alice receives her diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimers on January 19 (p. 67) which happens to be the date of her mother and sisters deaths. Towards the end of Alice Howlands story, her disease process has taken its toll on Alices mind and she can no longer care for herself independently.Dr. Howland becomes dependent on her daughters and son, whom she can no longer identify as such, for her care while her husband choses to take a job in New York (p.286-292). In conclusion, Still Alice is the story of a happily married professor with three with child(p) children at the peak of her career who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease. As the story unravels, Alice struggles to maintain her lifestyle, independence, and to live in the moment. The book not only brings to light the devastating effects of Alzheimers disease on its victims, but also on the live s of their friends, families, and relationships. Tension increases within the story from the time Alice is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease until her husband leaves. It was heartbreaking that Alices husband chose to abandon his beloved wife for a new job opportunity in another city.He failed to stay by her side as this disease robbed her of herself. Still Alice is a strong and engaging fiction work which brings truth to the average reader about the onset and the shock absorber of Alzheimers. However, it fails to insure those families who are not as equipped as the Howlands to care for their loved ones at home, and are forced to institutionalize them. As Alices condition deteriorates, her children begin to worry about their futures, fight amongst themselves, and ultimately change their lives as a result of their mothers disease. This story teaches the valuable lesson that no matter how strong relationship or family ties are, the failing health of a love one could have a devastating impact on everyone.